NCJ Number
73621
Date Published
1980
Length
56 pages
Annotation
This procedure manual is intended for use by volunteers who facilitate restitution to crime victims by arranging and guiding meetings between victims and offenders, through a program operated in Elkhart County, Ind.
Abstract
The Elkhart County PACT Victim Offender Reconciliation Program (VORP) is sponsored by a community-based corrections agency. 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 the offender, explaining the program, discussing the offense and its aftermath, and soliciting participation. If the victim and offender agree to meet each other, the volunteer sets and facilitates a meeting at which the facts of the case are discussed, restitution negotitated, and a contact signed which states the nature and amount of restitution agreed upon. After the meeting, the contract and a written summary are sent to the referring agency for approval and enforcement. VORP keeps in contact with the victim until fulfillment of the contract is verified. VORP deals mainly, but not exclusively, with property offenses. The manual's individual chapters describe the facilitator's general duties and give step-by-step directions for making contacts, planning for the meeting, preparing a report, and other duties. Additional chapters discuss confidentiality, describe the functions of the mediator/facilitator, and present questions and answers about the VORP process. A chart and footnotes are included. A victim letter, job descriptions, sample case and forms, a criminal justice flowchart, and related materials are appended.