NCJ Number
77345
Date Published
1981
Length
43 pages
Annotation
This program manual describes the operational procedures of the victim offender reconciliation program (VORP) operated by the Elkhart County, Ind., chapter of PACT (Prisoner and Community Together), a correctional organization devoted to the development of a more humane and rational corrections system.
Abstract
Under VORP, meetings are arranged between offenders and their victims to provide the opportunity for restitution, negotiation, and reconciliation. Cases are usually referred to VORP by the court and probation department, although referrals may be accepted from other criminal justice and community agencies. After a referral is received and screened at VORP, it is assigned to a trained community volunteer. The volunteer separately contacts the victim and offender to explain the program. If the victim and offender agree to meet each other, the volunteer arranges a meeting to discuss the facts of the case, negotiate restitution, and sign a contract stating the nature and the amount of the restitution. The contract and a written summary are sent to the referring agency for approval and enforcement. VORP maintains contact with the victim until fulfillment of the contract is verified. VORP deals mainly with property offenses. VORP is used as a sentencing alternative rather than as an additional aspect of a standard sentence. In the event that no agreement is reached at a meeting, options are explained, and the case is returned to the referring agency. A flow chart provides a detailed visual description of client progress through the program. Appended are the various forms mentioned in the flow chart, as well as verbal descriptions of how to record cases and collect statistics. (Author abstract modified)