VICTIM/OFFENDER CONFERENCING (VOC)
VOC seeks to keep first-time and non-violent offenders out of the institutions and in their communities through alternative sentencing. Using Restorative Justice Techniques, Character Development Practices, and community volunteers, we empower the youth, strengthen the family, and revitalize the community.
VOC is a Restorative Justice Approach Characterized by Four Key Values:
Encounter: VOC creates opportunities for victims and offenders to meet and discuss the crime and its aftermath. The process is designed to empower the youthful offender and bring restitution to the victim(s).
Amends: VOC encourage offenders, victims, and the community leaders to take steps toward repairing the harm caused through facilitated conferencing and community service designed to keep the offender at home and connected to the community.
Reintegration: VOC seeks to restore victims and offenders to whole, contributing members of their communities. Institutions ostracize our youth…VOC connects them to their community.
Inclusion: VOC provide opportunities for parties with a stake in a specific crime to participate in its resolution. The state is no longer the victim, but the offense is personalized with a victim, offender, family members, and community leaders.
Encounter: VOC creates opportunities for victims and offenders to meet and discuss the crime and its aftermath. The process is designed to empower the youthful offender and bring restitution to the victim(s).
Amends: VOC encourage offenders, victims, and the community leaders to take steps toward repairing the harm caused through facilitated conferencing and community service designed to keep the offender at home and connected to the community.
Reintegration: VOC seeks to restore victims and offenders to whole, contributing members of their communities. Institutions ostracize our youth…VOC connects them to their community.
Inclusion: VOC provide opportunities for parties with a stake in a specific crime to participate in its resolution. The state is no longer the victim, but the offense is personalized with a victim, offender, family members, and community leaders.