Introduction
The Responsibility Letter Bank Program promotes healing for crime victims and survivors and rehabilitation and acceptance of responsibility on the part of adults in custody (AIC). This program offers a structured process within which an AIC may voluntarily compose a letter to their victims or survivors expressing the acceptance of responsibility for the crime and impact that it has had on the victim or survivor. Participation in the Responsibility Letter Bank Program is voluntary for the crime victim or survivor, and for the AIC.
Key components of the Responsibility Letter Bank Program
- Participation in the Responsibility Letter Bank Program is voluntary for the crime victim or survivor, and for the AIC.
- AICs who wish to participate must submit a request to the Responsibility Letter Bank Program through Department of Corrections Victim Services.
- Accepted letters will be deposited into the Responsibility Letter Bank and the AIC will be notified that the letter was accepted by the Victim Services Program.
- The crime victim or survivor may inquire with the Victim Services Program if there are any pending letters addressed to them. Victim Services will not initiate the first contact with the crime victim or survivor.
- If a letter is written to multiple crime victims or survivors, a copy of the letter will be sent to the requesters and Victim Services will retain the original.
Notwithstanding OAR 291-131-0015, adults in custody and crime victims or survivors participating in the Responsibility Letter Bank program may exchange letters only as permitted under the program.