Apology letters from offenders often seek to communicate acknowledgement of fault, injury, responsibility and insult or pain caused. They are designed to address the offender's respective victim, and are not to offer excuses or request forgiveness.

Guidelines:

• The Department of Correction attempts to make sure that apology letters are never sent directly to victims, victim's families or victim advocates.
• Only the victim may initiate the apology letter process.
• The victim can determine if and when the apology letter will be accepted.
• The victim can determine whether or not the offender is informed that the victim requested, received and has read the apology letter.
• All apology letters are reviewed by designated letter screeners.
• Involvement in the apology letter process will not affect the offender's release date or other conditions of incarceration.

Procedures:

• Victims will be provided the opportunity to complete an apology letter notification form. This form will instruct Victims' Voices Heard to notify them when an apology letter has been received in their name.
• If a complete apology letter has been deposited in the apology letter bank addressed to a victim who has requested to be notified, Victims' Voices Heard will contact the victim to verify that they are interested in receiving the letter.
• Future contact between the victim and the offender should be made via the Executive Director of Victims' Voices Heard.
• Victims may, at any time, request other restorative services, such as our Victim-Offender Dialogue Program, which gives them the opportunity to meet face to face with their offender.