Four survivors, Rita, Sammie, Nora and Michelle, shared testimonies of the impact of crime on their lives at the California Institution for Women (CIW), April 7. They joined 100 offenders and the Chief Deputy Warden for the inaugural “In Their Shoes: Victim Awareness Event.” The day began with participants designing signs to honor their victims, which they wore throughout the day. The morning was spent walking laps while exchanging stories about crime and its far reaching consequences. Before the event, participant Aimee Gana thought that … [Read more...] about First annual “victim awareness event” at CIW
Victim Offender Education Group
H-Unit VOEG graduates prepare for survivor panel
“If you want to change the path of your life, go to VOEG,” said Kevin Thompson, a recent graduate of the Victim Offender Education Group (VOEG) from H-Unit. VOEG is one of a myriad of volunteer-organized rehabilitation programs at California’s San Quentin State Prison. It meets once a week for two hours and usually consists of a dozen inmates, one inmate facilitator and two volunteer moderators. VOEG’s purpose is to help inmates develop empathy for their victims, communities and even their prior selves. A component of restorative justice, … [Read more...] about H-Unit VOEG graduates prepare for survivor panel