Community Accountability Panel Analysis

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The Community Accountability Panel (CAP) is a crime prevention program that works with a client who agrees to the referral and has chosen to forgo the route of due process. Four trained volunteers are utilized to guide the offenders and their supporters through the resolution process. The circumstances of the offence are discussed as well as any other relevant issues. There are four volunteer roles involved in the accountability panel process. The facilitator explains the legal ramifications of the agreement and guides and directs the conversation. The co-facilitator is responsible for finding out more regarding the particular crime committed. The scribe asks personal questions at the beginning of the process to find out more about the client and also is in charge of …show more content…
The victim can still participate by providing a victim impact statement, and they have the ability to make any suggestions for a resolution agreement. Afterward, the offender is then contacted to set up a date and time for the community panel meeting and the program coordinator also provides an explanation of the proceedings that will occur. At the meeting, the offender has the opportunity to tell in his/her words what happened, and the volunteer can ask any necessary questions during this time. Once the committee is in agreement that all relevant issues have been discussed, the conditions of the Resolution Agreement are decided in collaboration with all parties. A volunteer mentor will then get assigned to follow-up with the client and acts as a liaison between the individual and Richmond Restorative justice until the assigned resolution agreement is completed. The mentor is required to document all interactions and follows up on a regular basis the client with phone calls, visits, and