Post-Conviction Victim Services for Conviction Review Units and Prosecutors’ Offices Healing Justice now offers post-conviction victim services specifically developed for conviction review units (CRUs) and prosecutors’ offices around the country. Post-conviction review of claims of innocence are inevitably connected to crime victims or surviving family members. These cases most often involve homicides or sexual assaults, crimes that cause extreme trauma, grief, loss, and fear. Without timely information and sensitive support, the conviction review process can be an isolating and re-victimizing experience for victims and surviving family members. There is the potential to re-traumatize them, as well as alienate them from future participation in the justice process. This can be avoided if interactions are handled by trained professionals experienced in post-conviction victim services and trauma-informed care. Healing Justice is ready to step in and work side-by-side with your office to ensure that your team has the tools and resources it needs to provide victim assistance during conviction review and before, during, and after an exoneration.
As your partner, Healing Justice will: ●
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Train and work with your staff to develop a victim-centered, trauma-informed strategy for notifying victims and surviving family members of renewed case activity. Provide practical solutions for keeping victims and surviving family members informed, engaged, and supported. Create specialized resources to help victims and surviving family members understand and navigate the post-conviction process. Create custom workplace policies and procedures for serving victims or surviving family members throughout the post-conviction period. Assist in managing media attention directed toward victims and surviving family members. Create opportunities for restorative justice, if requested, not only for victims and surviving family members, but also for exonerated individuals and family members. Connect victims and surviving family members to peer support.
For more information, please contact Katie Monroe at kmonroe@healingjusticeproject.org.