The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) produces and provides post-conviction victim services resources to support victim services coordinators across the country’s 50 state departments of correction. These coordinators are responsible for a wide range of services, many of which are mandated under state constitutions, statutes, and/or administrative rules. Through facilitated dialogue, victim services coordinators bring together the victim/survivor (or surviving family member) of a violent crime and the person who committed the crime. This meeting allows victims and survivors the opportunity to share how the crime has affected their lives and ask questions to which they have never been given answers. It can be a source of healing for many victims and another opportunity for accountability for those who have perpetrated crime.
With its partners from the National Association of Victims Assistance in Corrections, NIC has developed a new facilitated dialogue training that is now being offered throughout the country. The training gives states a standardized training curriculum for facilitators, filling a gap in many states. New and experienced victim services providers leave the course with opportunities to apply their newly learned skills to real-world scenarios.
During the American Correctional Association Winter Conference 2025, NIC will present a workshop detailing the training. By the end of the session, attendees will:
- Discover the details of the victim offender dialogue program, which includes information about the purpose of the program, the 20 essential principles, and the development of the ACA standard.
- Have an understanding about how the nationally recognized facilitated dialogue training curriculum was created, what topics will be covered, and how the training will be delivered.
- Learn how a corrections-based organization can participate in the training.
For more information about facilitated dialogue click the link to learn more about the conference.
Location: Room W232 B/C