Offender Based Services
Catholic Charities offers offender based services as a more beneficial alternative to incarceration for individuals arrested and convicted of certain crimes. These programs are aimed to assist individuals in achieving positive personal goals, reduce recidivism and eliminate poverty through case management, advocacy, education and referrals. Participants’ engagement in our programs provides an opportunity for them to make restitution to the community, and to themselves. Offender based services include: Alternatives to Incarceration and Victim Impact Panels.
Alternatives to Incarceration
The Alternatives to Incarceration program offers eligible non-violent individuals who have been charged with crimes and violations in certain categories the opportunity to complete community service in lieu of being incarcerated. This alternative sentencing program provides an opportunity for individuals to perform community service as restitution for their offenses. It saves the expense of providing jail sentences for every category of criminal activity and violation where it seems that incarceration is not the best sentence for the crime.
Victim Impact Panel
The Victim Impact Panel presentation is a national restorative dialogue program presented to people who have committed crimes involving driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The presentation is given by prevention educators, probation officers, case managers and victims of under the influence crashes. Along with providing important information relating to the effects of drug and alcohol consumption, participants who attend a Victim Impact Panel hear the stories of people whose lives have been affected by a crash that happened due to a driver who was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Evaluation and surveys indicate that more than 90% of participants attending the VIP indicate that they will alter their behavior of driving under the influence because of the presentation.
There is a fee to attend the Victim Impact Panel presentations and pre-registration is required. Certificates of attendance are given out at the completion of each panel. To register for a Victim Impact Panel, please call (607) 432-0061.
Victim Impact Panel presentations can also be offered to local schools or other special groups. If you are interested in scheduling a Victim Impact Panel for a school or special group, please call (607) 432-0061, ext. 102.
Upcoming Victim Impact Panel Presentations:
- March 21, 2024 - Oneonta
- May 16, 2024 - Oneonta
- July 18, 2024 - Delhi
- September 19, 2024 - Oneonta
- November 21, 2024 - Oneonta
Click here to download a Victim Panel Presentation schedule.
Are you or someone you know a person who has been impacted by an impaired driver? Catholic Charities is currently seeking individual speakers for our Victim Impact Panels. For more information, please call (607) 432-0061, ext 102.