Inmates also provided labor valued at $60,000 for restorative justice projects throughout the state.
Lathan was one of several speakers for the Glen Meadows Memorial Park dedication ceremony Saturday, which kicked off Victims’ Rights Week in Safford, which will run through April 28. The park is near the intersection of Discovery Park Boulevard and 14th Avenue on Safford’s south side.
 Lyle Broadhead, deputy warden of the Arizona State Prison-Safford, talks about the Restorative Justice program at the dedication of Glen Meadows Park on Saturday. Photo by Diane Saunders |
The ceremony included cutting the ribbon to a new play port built by inmates from the Arizona State Prison-Safford. Prison inmates held a food fund-raiser to purchase about $4,000 worth of materials for the project, and The Home Depot contributed $1,000 worth of materials.
Crystal Reidy, state victims’ rights trainer for the office of Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard, said not only do crime victims suffer consequences — their families also suffer. For example, a child may have to leave home because her parents are bankrupted by medical bills, or a college student could be forced to drop out of school because his mother has post-traumatic stress disorder and can no longer work.
“Very few people know you do have rights if you are a crime victim,” Reidy said.
Lathan said the impacts of crime are far-reaching, and the DOC wants inmates to take responsibility for what they have done.
“Statewide, we have inmates giving back to victims and victims organizations,” she said.
Lathan said Arizona had a restorative justice program when Dora Shriro became director of the ADOC. Shriro enhanced the program, and the number of projects began to increase about two years ago.
Other speakers included Arizona State Prison-Safford Deputy Warden Lyle Broadhead, District 5 Rep. Bill Konopnicki, Safford Vice Mayor J.T. Cotter and Douglas Christie, coordinator of the Eastern Arizona College education program at the prison.
After the speeches, several individuals and organizations were recognized for their efforts in victims’ rights.
According to 2007 National Crime Victims’ Resource Guide, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the first National Victims’ Rights Week in April 1981.
Since 1974, more than 30 federal victims’ rights legislations have been signed into law, according to the resource guide.
Comments
8 comment(s)shawn wrote on Oct 5, 2008 2:49 PM:
marley wrote on Sep 9, 2008 9:11 AM:
concerned parent wrote on Aug 29, 2008 9:28 PM:
http://www.jeremynegotiates.com/contact.php and how he cuts down other real estate agents in the "shame" page. Maybe complaints to AZ Dept Real Estate would help. "
Louis Womack wrote on Jun 26, 2008 12:21 PM:
shawn wrote on Jun 10, 2008 8:48 PM:
Steve Harrop wrote on Jun 10, 2008 12:26 PM:
Steve Harrop
Winthrop, WA "
Robyn Pomonis wrote on May 7, 2008 10:31 AM:
Elissa S. Stewart wrote on Nov 28, 2007 2:38 PM: