Victim Impact Panels
NOTE TO OFFENDERS: The Department of Corrections does not provide court-ordered victim impact panels for people convicted of drunk driving.
If you were convicted of a drunk-driving offense and a judge ordered you to attend a victim impact panel, contact Gallatin County Community Services at (406) 582-3700 or go to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at:
http://www.madd.org/chapter/3003_12225
This information is intended for victims of all types of felony crimes who wish to speak on a victim impact panel(VIP) under the direction of Department of Corrections (DOC) staff and for program staff who wish to host VIP's in their facilities.
Victims who do not wish to meet face-to-face with an offender who harmed them can volunteer to speak on a VIP in a prerelease center or the Treasure State Correctional Training Center, a boot camp on the Montana State Prison Grounds in Deer Lodge. VIPs give victims an opportunity to tell their stories, meet other victims who might have had similar experiences, and hold offenders accountable for their crimes. Staff will ensure that victims who volunteer for a VIP do not encounter their offender during their visit to a DOC facility.
The boot camp started a VIP program 12 years ago as a part of a comprehensive victim impact cirriculum for all offenders placed there. VIPs force offenders to face directly the harm they have caused others. Hundreds of thank-you letters to victim speakers document the success of VIPs in helping offenders change their criminal thinking patterns.
The Department of Corrections is adapting the successful boot camp VIP program to other commuity corrections facilities such as prerelease centers and drug/alcohol treatment programs.
Volunteer Victim Impact Panel Speaker Forms
NEW: Victim Impact Panel "How-To" Manual for Program Managers
Note: Submitting a form does not obligate you to participate on a panel. Rather, it tells the victim programs manager that you would like to discuss whether a VIP would benefit you. Your volunteer form and contact information will be kept confidential. Crime victims who are ready to share their stories with offenders and other victims, or who would like more information may call the victim programs manager at (888) 223-6332.
