"Let your VOICE be heard."   

                         Victims & Offenders In Communication Experiences

There are a number of options for communication between victims and offenders who are incarcerated  with the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Depending on the method chosen, various levels of preparation may be involved.  Please contact the Restorative Justice Unit at 651-361-7110.

• Face to Face Facilitated Victim Offender Dialogue—VOD
  VOD is a process in which the victim/survivor of a crime and the offender who committed the offense, meet face-to-face in a safe and structured setting with trained facilitators present.
• 3rd Party Victim Offender Dialogue
  3rd Party VOD is a process in which the victim/survivor of a crime and the offender who committed the offense, are in separate rooms at the same location and 3rd party facilitators travels back and forth between rooms with specific questions and comments from each party.
• VOD via Satellite Video Teleconference
  VOD via satellite video teleconference is a process in which the victim/survivor of a crime and the offender who committed the offense, are at separate locations and communicate with the use of satellite equipment.  Each party is with a facilitator who assists with the dialogue. 
• VOD via Telephone
  VOD via telephone is a process in which the victim/survivor of a crime and the offender who committed the offense, are at separate locations and communicate with the use a telephone.  Each party is with a facilitator who assists with the dialogue. 
• VOD via Video Tape 
  Video taping can be used as a way for victim/survivor of a crime and the offender who committed the offense to communicate.  Each party is videotaped while asking and responding to specific questions posed by the other party. There are facilitators who assist with the preparation of questions, filming of questions and responses and the viewing of tapes. 
• VOD via Audio Tape
  Audio taping can be used as a way for victim/survivor of a crime and the offender who committed the offense to communicate.  Each party is recorded while asking and responding to specific questions posed by the other party. There are facilitators who assist with the preparation of questions, recording of questions and responses and the listening of tapes. 
• Written Exchanges
  Writing can be used as a way for victim of a crime, or the surviving family member/s, and the offender who committed the offense to communicate.  Each party writes out comments, questions and responses to specific questions posed by the other party. There are facilitators who assist with the preparation of questions, comments and responses.
• Signed Release Form
  The victim of a crime, or the surviving family member/s may request that the offender who committed the offense sign a release of information form allowing Corrections staff to speak openly about the offender. The offender may choose to sign a release of information form that is generic and all encompassing or may specify what particular information can be shared.

• Surrogate Opportunities
  There are opportunities for victim/survivors, community members and offenders to participate in surrogate groups. These groups are called VOCARE’ groups. VOCARE’ stands for Victims, Offenders & Community - A Restorative Experience.  VOCARE’ is Latin for “to call, to summons, invoke, invite or to gather.”

• Victim Speaker Opportunities
  The Department of Corrections is always open to speakers who are interested in sharing their stories as part of victim impact programming.  Correctional facilities welcome speakers as part of Crime Victims Rights Awareness Week each April and Restorative Justice Week each November.  Other speaking opportunities may be available throughout the year as well.  Please contact the Victim Assistance Program Director at 651-361-7200

• Apology Letters
  Apology Letters seek to communicate a full acknowledgement of fault, injury, responsibility, insult and/or pain caused.  It is offered by an offender to the victim/survivor and relates to a specific incident.  The letter will demonstrate regret and speak from the heart about the offender’s feelings about the incident then as well as now.  It will not offer excuses or request forgiveness or pardon.
  Victim(s) may, at the time of engaging with the apology letter process or at a subsequent time, request other restorative services provided by the Minnesota Department of Corrections (e.g. Victim Offender Dialogue, opportunities for victim involvement in offender programming or victim services referrals).