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| Victim Offender Intervention Sessions (VOIS) |
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Victim Offender Intervention Sessions were first introduced within the Iowa prison system in October 1993.
This program allows the victim(s) of severe violence to meet face to face with the inmate who committed the
crime against them or their loved one. The sessions take place at the institution and include the victim,
inmate, counselor support for the victim and inmate, and a trained facilitator. The facilitator spends many
hours preparing both the victim and inmate. This type of session allows the victim the opportunity to ask
questions of which only the offender has answers. Most importantly and most often asked are,
“Why me, why my child, why my loved one?” Victims also have the opportunity to tell inmates what effect and impact
the crime has had on their lives and lives of their families. These sessions can be a very important and
critical step in a victim’s healing process. VOISs also allow offenders to accept responsibility, answer questions,
and apologize for committing devastating crimes. The sessions are reviewed and approved with caution, however,
because VOIS sessions are not suited for all victims or all offenders.
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Please contact the Department’s
Victim and Restorative Justice Programs Administrator for more information,
515-725-5742.
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