Voices of Victims Testimonials
Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance
January 23, 2008
To Whom it Concerns:
I am pleased to be writing this letter in support of Voices of Victims. This recently established community based non-profit organization provides an essential service for crime victims who have chosen to be active in post-sentencing procedures related to their case. Voice of Victims provides education and support, including on-site support, for victims who attend parole, probation and community corrections hearings throughout the state.
This critical start-up enterprise contributes essential victim services that are not extensively provided through any other means. While Colorado’s Victim Rights Act (VRA) does require that victims who opt in are notified of post-sentencing activities of offenders, the law does not extend to include any specific education for or on-site support of the victims throughout the process. Currently, government based resources for this type of victim support is very limited, making Voices of Victims’ contributions to crime victim services critical.
Many people perceive that the criminal justice process is over once a trial has concluded and the offender has been convicted. However, for many crime victims, the conviction comprises only one leg of the journey. Most offenders will, at some point, be released to increasingly lower levels of confinement until their sentence is completed. Generally, an offender who is seeking to be moved into lower confinement levels must have a hearing – either before a parole or community corrections board. Victims, via the VRA, are entitled to be notified about and have a right to be heard at these hearings. However, because Colorado’s correctional system and processes are often complex and confusing, notification alone does not help many victims who have a difficult time simply understanding and navigating the system. To that, we must add the significant emotional trauma faced by crime victims who, at this stage, are contemplating the minimization of confinement or release of the individual who harmed them.
The necessity of the support services provided by Voices of Victims cannot be overstated. The organization’s executive director, Joe Cannata, is well aware of the impact the criminal justice system has on victims. He learned about the impersonal nature of the system, the frustrations associated with post-sentencing hearings and the emotional impact on its victim participants through his own experience as a crime victim over two decades ago. Since that time he has been advocating for crime victims on a statewide level, including volunteering his time to attend post-sentencing hearings across the state with other crime victims. Through these volunteer activities he uncovered a desperate need for post-sentencing support services and subsequently created Voices of Victims. Joe’s contributions to crime victims during this stage of the process cannot be underestimated and it is exactly his range of experience and knowledge that will ensure Voices of Victims’ success.
Voices of Victims will enhance Colorado’s ability to effectively support crime victims who must continually relive the horror of their crime through the criminal justice process. I can be reached at 303-996-8080 if you have any further questions or need additional information. Again, it is with tremendous enthusiasm and gratitude for their work that I recommend Voice of Victims for funding.
Sincerely,
Nancy Lewis, Executive Director
Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance
2460 West 26th Avenue, Suite 255-C
Denver, CO 80211
303-861-1160
Creek County Advocates
To Whom It May Concern:
I am writing this letter in support of Voices Of Victims who provide post-sentencing support to victims of violent crimes.
I have just recently had the opportunity to work with Joe Cannata
and his organization. He helped us with a victim of sexual assault
during a parole hearing. With his assistance, the process was much smoother and more importantly, it helped relieve all the anticipation and anxiety of the victim. Mr. Cannata was extremely knowledgeable
of the process and understood the victim’s fears.
Without the help of Voices Of Victims I honestly believe that our victim would not have been as forthcoming and the possibility of her backing out of the parole hearing would have been much greater.
I cannot express how grateful we are as victim service providers to have Voices Of Victims available as a resource to us.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Joni J. Hargitt, Deputy Director
Creek County Advocates
Post Office Box 21
Georgetown, Colorado 80444
Colorado Department of Corrections
September 19, 2007
To Whom It May Concern:
I am honored to write a letter of support for Voices of Victims. Although it has only been in existence for a few months, my familiarity with Joe Cannata, Execute Director of the program goes back many years. As the Coordinator for the Department of Correction’s Victim Services Unit, I first knew Joe as a registered victim with amazing accomplishments in Legislation. When the offender is Joe’s case discharged from DOC, he volunteered with this unit to help victims at parole hearings and community reviews. With his personal experience attending these events, Joe became a valuable part of the DOC Victim Services Unit. He traveled around the State to be with victims going through often re-victimizing hearings and reviews.
Joe and Voices of Victims continue to assist the DOC Victim Services Unit. Along with personal assistance, VOV provides transportation, hotels, gas, food, etc to victims. Without emotionally and financial support of Joe and VOV, many victims could not attend parole hearings and community reviews.
Rose Young - Coordinator
Colorado Department of Corrections
Victim Services Unit