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victim-offender-dialogue-what-families-should-know

Understanding Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD): What Families Should Know

• 2 min read • cdcr.ca.gov
Understanding Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD): What Families Should Know

A Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) is a facilitated, face-to-face meeting between a crime victim (or surviving family members) and the person who committed the offense. These sessions happen in a secure setting with trained facilitators - the kind of structured conversation that wouldn't happen otherwise.

For victims and survivors, VOD offers something rare: a chance to describe the real-life impact of the crime in their own words. It's also an opportunity to ask questions about the offense - questions only the offender can answer.

VOD starts with the victim. Only the victim can initiate the process by contacting CDCR's Office of Victim and Survivor Rights and Services (OVSRS) and completing a formal intake with the VOD Program Coordinator. If you're a family member of the incarcerated person, know this upfront: the request doesn't come from the prison side or the offender's side.

  • ✓ Call CDCR OVSRS at 1-877-256-6877 to request information or request a Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD).
  • ✓ Email OVSRS_VOD@cdcr.ca.gov to ask questions or submit a request.

Once OVSRS receives the request and completes intake, they ask the offender's institution to run a security screen. If both the Warden and OVSRS tentatively approve the case, a trained facilitator is assigned.

VOD sessions typically take place in a private, quiet room away from general foot traffic. A Correctional Officer must be able to see into the room at all times for security purposes.

Participation is completely voluntary. VOD doesn't change the offender's release date, classification score, or housing status. If you're supporting an incarcerated loved one, this helps set expectations: VOD isn't a "program credit" and won't affect classification or release decisions.

Key point: For victims, the main benefit is the chance to explain how the crime affected their life - and to get answers about the offense that only the offender can provide.

Understanding Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD): What Families Should Know

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  • ✓ Phone: 1-877-256-6877 (CDCR OVSRS)
  • ✓ Email: OVSRS_VOD@cdcr.ca.gov

To reach Central California Women's Facility (CCWF) directly, call (559) 665-5531. The address is 23370 Road 22, Chowchilla, CA 93610.

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