§ 17-28-103 — Victim-offender conferences - pilot program

The department is
authorized to establish a pilot program, when funds become available, in its
correctional facilities to facilitate victim-initiated victim-offender conferences
whereby a victim of a crime may request a facilitated conference with the offender
who committed the crime, if the offender is in the custody of the department. After
such a pilot program is established, the department may establish policies and
procedures for the victim-offender conferences using volunteers to facilitate the
conferences. The volunteers shall complete the department's volunteer and
facility-specific training programs and complete high-risk victim-offender training
and victim advocacy training. The department shall not compensate or reimburse a
volunteer or victim for any expenses nor otherwise incur any additional expenses to
establish or operate the victim-offender conferences pilot program. If a pilot
program is available, and subsequent to the victim's or the victim representative's
request, the department shall arrange such a conference only after determining
that the conference would be safe and only if the offender agrees to participate.
The purposes of the conference shall be to enable the victim to meet the offender,
to obtain answers to questions only the offender can answer, to assist the victim in
healing from the impact of the crime, and to promote a sense of remorse and
acceptance of responsibility by the offender that may contribute to his or her
rehabilitation.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2011: Entire section added, (HB 11-1032), ch. 296, p. 1401, � 3, effective August 10.