Commissioners: “We will continue to value, respect, and support all individuals as we serve the people of Boulder County.” Read full message.

Immigrant Resources, including a Know Your Rights Booklet, available on the Immigration Resources webpage.

Victim Impact Program

Victim Impact Program

We are not currently accepting applications for volunteers at this time.

This program is comprised of volunteers who want to make a difference and believe people can change. Victim Impact classes, taught at the jail, help inmates identify the impact of their behavior on others, themselves, family, friends, and the community. Class curriculum includes use of speakers, documentary DVD and discussion with emphasis on accountability and change. The goal is to establish a rich learning environment which incorporates relevant curriculum materials, adult-centered learning principles, experiential learning opportunities, cultural sensitivity, and activities to facilitate changes in offenders’ thinking, feeling, and behaviors.

Program Objectives

  1. Increase offender accountability for criminal actions,
  2. Increase offenders’ empathy for victims and community affected by their actions,
  3. Help offenders identify who else is affected by their crime (ripple effect),
  4. Instill in offenders’ self-motivation to live crime free,
  5. Provide a forum for victims for share their stories and influence offender behavior.

Volunteer Victim Impact Facilitators

Facilitators must both understand victim impact issues and believe offenders can change. If either of these concepts is missing, the class will be less effective. Facilitators understand many offenders have experienced some kind of victimization in their past, however, are clear that history is never an excuse to victimize others. The facilitators will manage discussions and present various viewpoints. Facilitators must be open and inviting, yet able to establish firm boundaries and respectfully confront denials, minimization, justifications, and be able to read class dynamics.

  • Be comfortable volunteering in a jail environment.
  • All volunteers are asked to commit to joining the team for at least one year and attend monthly meetings and training.
  • Classes are facilitated by a team of two volunteers and meet once per week for two hours.
  • There is approximately two hours of preparation time, which includes reviewing inmate homework, is required.
  • New facilitators will be paired with an experienced facilitator until fully trained.
  • Set healthy and strong boundaries, work well with diverse populations, keep confidentiality, manage strong emotions and manage conflict.
  • Engage participants in discussion, critical thinking, and problem solving.
  • Demonstrate a commitment to a multidisciplinary approach to training.
  • Demonstrate flexibility, knowledge of victim issues, and believe people can change.
  • Convey the victim impact message to a variety of learning styles and abilities.

Volunteers

If you are interested in volunteering, please submit a volunteer application to:
Boulder County Sheriff’s Office
Restorative Justice & Community Mediation Program
5600 Flatiron Parkway
Boulder, CO 80301
OR
Email: RestorativeJustice@bouldercounty.gov
Phone: 303-441-1752

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