Colorado High Impact VOD Programs Get a Boost
In 2011, Colorado state law created new opportunities for victims of crime in the form of High Impact Victim Offender Dialogues.
JUST RELEASED: Resorative Justice COVID-19 Resources
JUST RELEASED: Anti-Racism Resources
A High Risk/Impact Victim Offender Dialogue (HRVOD) is a unique restorative justice process that serves Survivors/Victims of high impact crimes.
All participation in HRVOD is voluntary. Cases of HRVOD include, but are not limited to, the following crimes of violence: Murder in the first
degree, Murder in the second degree, Manslaughter, Criminally negligent homicide, Vehicular assault, Assault in the first degree, Assault in
the second degree, Assault in the third degree, Vehicular homicide, Menacing, First degree kidnapping, Second degree kidnapping, Robbery, Aggravated
robbery and Child abuse. Cases that involve domestic violence and sexual assault may be considered only when victim initiated and approved
by the agency or institution working with the offender/inmate. Cases considered for High Risk/Impact Victim Offender Dialogue (HRVOD) must
be victim initiated in Colorado.
Since 2011, the Colorado Department of Corrections and the Division of Youth Corrections have been able to provide High Risk/Impact Victim Offender Dialogue (HRVOD) within corrections settings. These unique processes of restorative justice practices work in conjunction with or within the criminal justice system. Many times the restorative justice process in HRVOD cases occurs after sentencing and often much later into the punishment phase.
The facilitators should ensure the process is victim centered and offender sensitive. Facilitators for HRVOD processes are specifically trained (minimum 40 hours of HRVOD specific training approved by the agency supporting the dialogue) to support victims/survivors and offenders throughout the preparation, HRVOD process and beyond. The facilitators should be approved by the agency, organization or institution within which the offender is associated. Or in the event there is no current association, the facilitators should be in the RJ Directory and trained in HRVOD, as well as practicing by the CO Facilitator Code of Conduct and Standards or Training and Practice.
What it may look like: After extensive preparation by the facilitators the parties and their support people come together at a designated time and location. The facilitators work with facilities to ensure the safety for all participants and confidentiality of the HRVOD meeting. These meetings often take 4-8 hours. The victim/survivor has this unique opportunity to release the emotions they have been carrying and ask questions they have previously been denied the opportunity to ask.
Understanding that victims may not always wish to meet face-to-face with the person who committed a violent crime, options may include, but are not limited to the following:
Several successful HRVODs have taken place in Colorado since 2011, with survivors/victims gaining a sense of satisfaction and healing and offenders experiencing a new level of remorse and transformation. There are experienced facilitators and practitioners around the state that may offer support for HRVOD.
For Department of Corrections cases contact:
Monica Chambers: office (719) 226-4703 Email:monica.chambers@state.co.us
For Division of Youth Corrections cases contact:
Spiro Koinis: office (720) 810-3003 Email:spiro.koinis@state.co.us
For Probation Department cases contact:
Greg Brown: office (303) 441-4730 Email: greg.brown@judicial.state.co.
For General Inquires contact:
Mary McGhee: office (303) 547-5050 Email: mary@coloradocrimevictims.org
HRVOD - Community Brochure (508 KB)
HRVOD - Recruitment Flyer (1663 KB)
VOD DA & Victim Advocate Information (1354 KB)
I didn’t know what to expect but I was pleased with how the program was with making the kids understand that it’s not just a personal consequence but everyone else suffers. My kid understands what to do next and has taken responsibility for actions.
Gracias por ayudarnos.
Todo estuvo exelente y agradesco mucho el trato de todos asia mi y mi hijo. Gracias a la fraductora norka por su trato asia nosotros.
Este es un programa que si le va ayudar para que sepa desernir las cosas.
“Restorative Justice is the most cost effective way to resolve these crimes.”