Utah News Dispatch
Utah parole board launches new ‘trauma-informed’ way to keep victims of crimes informed
The Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake City is pictured on Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
The Utah Board of Pardons and Parole has announced a new “trauma-informed tool” meant to better keep victims of crimes informed about parole processes involving their offenders and available services.
The board on Monday announced the launch of a MyVoice, a new software designed to better notify victims of crimes of services and other information, including when their offenders have upcoming hearings.
“For years, the Board has relied on an offender management system to access victim information,” the board announced in a news release. “MyVoice represents a significant shift toward a victim-centered approach, enabling the Board to provide more timely and sensitive notifications regarding hearings that victims have a right to attend, along with introductory information about the post-sentence parole process.”
Scott Stephenson, chair of the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, said in a prepared statement that the board is “committed to providing trauma-informed notifications to victims, and the launch of MyVoice is a major step in this direction.”
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MyVoice’s first phase enhances the board’s ability to email victims who prefer electronic communication over traditional mail, according to the board.
“It also gives Board staff access to a trauma-informed platform where they can update and manage victim contact information more efficiently,” board officials said. “In addition, the new system has allowed for important updates to the language used in notification letters, making them more informative about the post-sentence parole process and more considerate of victims’ experiences.”
Jennifer Yim, administrative director of the board, called the launch of MyVoice a “major milestone.”
“As an agency, we are committed to continuing the development of this platform to reach our end goal — allowing victims to independently enter and manage their contact information and to offer additional options, such as text messaging notifications,” she said. “We thank the victim services representatives and victims who have helped us understand the needs of victims to inform this process of improving our services.”
The board included a link to templates for four “victims’ notifications letters,” which include information about why the board would be contacting victims, their right to be informed about an upcoming hearing for the offenders, and contact information for victim coordinators that can provide more information about resources that are available to them.
“The Board remains committed to protecting public safety through transparency, accessibility, and delivering services that recognize the rights and experiences of victims throughout the parole process,” board officials said.
