This report examines using the victim perspective to strengthen policies whose aim is to reduce recidivism and increase public safety.
In recent years, much attention has been focused on the complex challenges of prisoner reentry, but there has been relatively little focus on the needs of victims when offenders return from incarceration. The success or failure of reentry policies is directly relevant to the victims as well as the victim service providers. Results show that many victim service providers are willing and ready to play an active role in the process as New Jersey implements its Prisoner Reentry State Action Plan. It is suggested that in the interests of victims, offenders, and the whole community that victim services providers should be included in policy improvement planning. This report is divided into four sections. Section 1 summarizes critical messages from the focus group discussions. Section 2 provides a synthesis of the messages from the focus groups in terms of "lessons learned." Section 3 contains a set of recommendations in the form of actionable "next steps." A brief conclusion is presented in Section 4. Appendix I has summaries of victim-focused reentry initiatives in New Jersey and elsewhere. Appendix II contains a list of the participants who attended the provider focus groups. Appendix III contains the questionnaire that was given to the focus group participants.