Participant Perceptions of the Impact of Crime on Victims Class (ICVC)

• In Event: Corrections Policy Potpourri

Abstract

The Impact of Crime on Victims Class (ICVC) is part of restorative justice programming in correctional facilities in state of Missouri where it has experienced significant growth in recent years. The goals of the ICVC program are for participants to develop empathy, shame, and guilt for their crime while identifying the range of victims that were impacted by their actions. Though some research has been conducted to assess the impact of the course on the constructs of empathy, shame, and guilt, very little has been done to address the perceptions of participants regarding the class and its effect. The current research uses in-depth interviews with participants and administrators of the ICVC program in several correctional facilities in Missouri to assess the perceptions of ICVC programming and its potential effects.

Authors

• Scott Chenault, University of Central Missouri

• Randa Embry Matusiak, University of Central Missouri