History of Victim and Restorative Justice Programs
Iowa Department of Corrections
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The first victim program was developed in 1982 when the Department of Corrections began collecting
restitution from inmates. Initially these collections were deducted from allowances paid to inmates.
In 1992 the Department began collecting restitution also from credits to inmates’ accounts deposited
from outside sources. This practice has been successfully defended in the Iowa and Federal courts.
In 1993 the Department began collecting current and outstanding legal debts from certain inmates as
ordered by the Federal courts. In calendar year 1999 almost one million dollars in restitution was
collected within the Iowa prison system and $4.5 million was collected in community-based corrections.
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In 1986 the Department instituted a victim notification program where by victims of violent offenses are
notified prior to the release of an inmate. Requests for notification are sent to the
Department by the County Attorney’s offices. After processing the registration the victim
is sent a letter confirming the registration. In 1995 the Department added an 800-telephone number to this program for
victims to obtain direct information regarding an inmate’s movement within the
system, Parole Board decisions, inmate discipline, programming, etc.
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Victim Offender Intervention Sessions (VOIS) were first
introduced within the Iowa prison system in October 1993. This program allows the victim(s) to meet
face to face with the inmate/perpetrator in a very controlled setting at the
prison location of the inmate. These sessions include, besides the victim(s) and inmate, counselor support for both
the victim(s) and inmate and a qualified/trained facilitator. Many hours are spent prior to each session
preparing both the victim(s) and inmate. The preparation of the victim(s) includes private therapy/counseling,
listing of questions to be asked as well as any other results that the
victim(s) expects to gain. These questions and issues are then presented in the preparation of the inmate. This type of session allows the victim(s)
the opportunity to ask many questions, most importantly and most often,
why? The victim(s) also has the opportunity to tell the inmate in the victim’s own words what affect and
impact the crime has had on them and their families. VOIS gives victims a needed and often unheard voice. These sessions can be a very important and
critical step in the victim’s(s) healing process; however, these sessions are
staffed and approved with extreme caution, as the sessions are not suited for
all victims. This program was developed and created cooperatively with Polk County Victim Services and now includes
support and assistance from the Crime Victim Compensation Program of the Iowa
Attorney General’s office. In April of 1997 the Iowa Department of Corrections, Polk County Victim Services, and Iowa
Mediation Services co-sponsored a four-day “Training of Mediators” session
specifically for this purpose.
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In 1994 Victim Impact Panels were added to the programming
process of inmates at the Newton Correctional Facility as part of release
planning. This program was initially developed and organized by the Attorney General’s Crime Victim Compensation
Program and Polk County Victim Services. In addition, victim impact panels have been added to programming at most
of the institutions in Iowa in Victim Impact Classes. These educational and empowering experiences include victim
panels coming to describe to a group of inmates the impact and effect of the
crime upon them and their family’s lives. Preparation for participation on panels for both victims and offenders
is done in advance to promote a safe and rewarding experience.
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In 1995 the Department developed a policy to notify victims
in certain cases of sexual assault when the offender/inmate tests positive for
HIV. This process includes notifying the prosecuting attorney by the Department’s Victim Services Administrator and
the Health Services Director and providing an explanation of the test and test results. A victim services provider
trained in sexual assault counseling is then contacted to inform the victim or victims’
parent/guardian in the case of a minor.
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In August 1999 the Department hired the first Victim and
Restorative Justice Programs Administrator. The mission of this office is to build mutual understanding and open
communication among Department of Corrections’ employees, victims, victims’
families and community victim advocacy groups. The Office facilitates victims’ access to the Department by providing
opportunities to participate in decisions concerning an offender’s
incarceration/supervision and providing them support, information and access to
restorative justice programs as appropriate.
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In June 2000 the Victim Advisory Council was established
with the following initial goals:
Expand victim outreach programs and services
Assist judicial districts in providing victim services in community corrections agencies and other related community agencies
Enhance public awareness concerning victim rights and services through public education programs
Assist other agencies in the development of victim education efforts and assist in cross-training programs with allied criminal justice and victim service professionals
Develop legislative and Department proposals to enhance victim rights, services, and programs
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