Foundations of Corrections Based Services for Victims of Crime: A Paccoa Position Paper

• NCJ Number: 200308
• Author(s): Keith Shiers
• Date Published: 2002
• Length: 8 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Sale Source: Australian Institute of Criminology
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Program Description (Model)
• Language: English
• Country: Australia
• Note: Paper presented at the Probation and Community Corrections: Making the Community Safer Conference convened by the Australian Institute of Criminology and the Probation and Community Corrections Officers' Association Inc., held in Perth, Australia, on September 23-24, 2002. Downloaded May 12, 2003.

Annotation

This paper outlines the position of the Probation and Community Correction Officers’ Association (PACCOA) on the delivery of a corrections-based Victims of Crimes service.

Abstract

In collaboration with Victim Support Australasia (VSA), PACCOA seeks to promote victim’s rights and measures that address victim’s needs. Traditionally, victims have been overlooked within the criminal justice system, as attention is turned to processing the suspected offender through the system. PACCOA recognizes the importance of establishing provisions for corrections-based crime victim’s services that also safeguard the offender’s due process and privacy rights. The overall framework for a victim’s services program that is outlined in this paper represents the aspirations of PACCOA, and the actual implementation of this project is described as a long-term goal. The basic framework of the program involves PACCOA meeting the essential standards of offender care and management while also providing services that contribute to the protection of the victim and the public from criminal victimization. The remainder of the paper outlines seven core elements that should form the basis of a corrections-based victim’s services. The incorporation of victim’s rights and needs into the agency’s mission statement and the development of a mission statement specifically for correctional victim’s services are described as key functions of program design and implementation. Finally, the paper offers principles of professional practice that should guide correctional officers when they communicate with victims.