Mississippi  Department of  Corrections

Christopher B. Epps	Phil Bryant
Commissioner	Governor

 

Division of Victim Services

Victim/Offender Dialogue

 What is Victim/Offender Dialogue?

Victim/Offender Dialogue is a process in which the victim of a violent crime, or the surviving family member, and the offender who committed the offense meet.  The focus is on the harm done to the victim and the offender’s responsibility in the reparation of that harm.

The dialogue process.

Requests for victim/offender dialogue must be made through the Division of Victim Services.

 

All dialogues are victim initiated; offenders cannot initiate dialogue.

 

Dialogue preparation can take anywhere from several weeks to years before an actual meeting takes place.

 

Offenders voluntarily agree to participate in the process.

 

Because victim/offender dialogue is not for everyone, each case is carefully reviewed by the Division of Victim Services staff.

 

We do not conduct dialogues involving domestic violence, child sexual abuse cases or cases in which the offender is on death row. 

In no instances will a minor be allowed to participate in a dialogue.

Division of Victim Services staff will meet with the victim and the offender individually to prepare for the dialogue.

 

The victim/offender dialogue process cannot be used by offenders in an attempt to obtain an early release from prison or supervision.

Why would a victim want to meet with an offender?

Historically victims of crime have been left out of the justice process and were not afforded the same rights as offenders in their cases.  There are many reasons a victim might have an interest in meeting with the person who harmed them.

 

They often have questions only an offender can answer.  Questions may be, “What actually happened?”  “What were my loved one’s last words?”  “Why did you choose me?”

 

Victims may want to tell the offender about how their lives have been affected by the offender’s criminal behavior and how they feel about the crime.

 

Victims often want to know about the offender’s life inside the institution or what kind of person they are.

Why would an offender want to meet with a victim?

Offenders may want the opportunity to apologize to the victims and to express remorse for their actions.

 

Answering questions is one way the offender can attempt to make amends to victims.

 

When an offender looks into the eyes of the person(s) they’ve harmed, they often feel true remorse and can begin to turn their own lives around.

If you are a victim and interested in the Victim/Offender Dialogue process:  Contact the Mississippi Department of Corrections – Division of Victim Services

723 North President Street

Jackson, MS  39202.3097

1.866.522.4087 (toll free)

601.359.5628

fax 601.359.5719

victimservices@mdoc.state.ms.us

 

You will be asked to provide background information about your interest in dialogue.  Keep in mind that determination of the appropriateness of a dialogue is at the discretion of the Division of Victim Services and the superintendent where the offender is located.

 

The victim/offender dialogue program cannot be utilized to circumvent the department’s policy limiting visitation between victims and their offenders.