VICTIM/WITNESS SERVICES - PARTICIPANT'S HANDBOOK AND MANUAL

• NCJ Number: 47391
• Author(s): E C VIANO; D JACQUIN; H C JONES; M NEUSE; J SCHILLER; O SPAID; S S STEINBERG
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 301 pages
• Contract Number(s): J-LEAA-022-76
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Justice; US Dept of Justice NIJ Pub
• Corporate Author: University Research Corporation
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Instructional Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: EXECUTIVE TRAINING PROGRAM IN ADVANCED CRIMINAL JUSTICE PRACTICES

Annotation

THE ROLE PLAYED IN THE CRIMINAL SYSTEM BY VICTIM/WITNESS SERVICES, THE IDENTIFICATION OF SERVICE NEEDS APPROPRIATE TO A PARTICULAR COMMUNITY, AND SERVICE IMPLEMENTATION ARE EXAMINED IN THIS WORKSHOP HANDBOOK.

Abstract

IN THE FIRST SESSIONS OF THE WORKSHOP, THE PROBLEMS WHICH VICTIMS AND WITNESSES ENCOUNTER IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ARE EXAMINED. AN OVERVIEW OF VICTIM/WITNESS PROBLEMS IS PROVIDED AND A BACKGROUND PAPER IS PRESENTED; THE PAPER CHARACTERIZES THE VICTIM AS THE LOST PARTY WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. A FLOW CHART IS PROVIDED WHICH COMPARES THE CAREFUL CONSIDERATION GIVEN THE RIGHTS OF THE ACCUSED, WITH THE CORRESPONDINGLY LITTLE ATTENTION PAID TO THE RIGHTS OF VICTIMS. ONE SESSION IS DEVOTED TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF VICTIM/WITNESS PROBLEMS AND SERVICES BY OCCUPATIONAL AFFILIATION; PARTICIPANTS ARE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET COLLEAGUES IN THEIR OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES AND TO IDENTIFY OFFENSE-RELATED AND SYSTEM-RELATED PROBLEMS FACING THE VICTIM/WITNESS. THE NEXT SESSIONS DEAL WITH VICTIM/WITNESS SERVICES; AN OVERVIEW AND ACCOMPANYING BACKGROUND PAPER ARE PROVIDED. TWO CONCURRENT SEMINARS ARE OUTLINED. THE FIRST DEALS WITH CRISIS INTERVENTION MANAGEMENT, AS WELL AS SOCIAL SERVICE ASSISTANCE AND REFERRAL. A BACKGROUND PAPER ON INTERVENTION AND DESCRIPTIONS OF VICTIM/WITNESS PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDED. THE SECOND SEMINAR DEALS WITH COURT-RELATED INFORMATION, WITNESS NOTIFICATION AND PROTECTION, PROPERTY RETURN, AND COMPENSATION AND RESTITUTION. BACKGROUND PAPERS ON COMPENSATION AND RESTITUTION ARE INCLUDED. THERE ARE ALSO SESSIONS ON IDENTIFYING PRIORITY NEEDS AND DEVELOPING SERVICE PLANS. A BACKGROUND PAPER PROVIDES AN OUTLINE AND NOTES FOR DESIGNING A VICTIM/WITNESS PROGRAM. THE FINAL SESSIONS ARE DEVOTED TO STRATEGIES FOR IMPLEMENTING CHANGE, THE DEVELOPMENT OF A COMMUNITY ACTION PLAN, AND FEEDBACK ON THE ACTION PLAN. SAMPLE INFORMATION SHEETS, DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIFIC PROGRAMS, AND BUDGET INFORMATION ARE INCLUDED. TABLES IDENTIFY POSSIBLE RESPONSES TO VICTIM AND WITNESS NEEDS, ADMINISTRATIVE CONSIDERATIONS, SERVICE REQUIREMENTS, AND THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF VARIOUS PROGRAMS. SEVERAL OF THE BACKGROUND PAPERS PROVIDE REFERENCES, AND A GLOSSARY AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY ARE APPENDED.