Victim's advocate Lydia Newlin leads a class in how to write an apology letter at Minnesota Correctional Center in Lino Lakes. The inmates, mostly sex offenders, are learning how to write to their victims.
Newlin said that as each inmates' release date approaches, it's on two peoples' minds: the inmate's and the victim's. For most offenders, that person is a family member.
Newlin turns to the white board behind her and starts making a list.
"What do you think they're thinking about?" she asks the class.
"Fear," an inmate answers. (The Minnesota Department of Corrections asked that MPR News not identify the inmates in this story because of the impact it might have on victims.)
"Fear of what?" Newlin replies.
"Will they hurt me again?" she's answered.
Taking notes
"Will they hurt me again how? Are they going to hurt somebody else? OK. What else? Will I run into them?" Newlin continues.
Newlin leads them through an exercise meant to get them thinking about what they could write in a letter to reassure victims. She questions them, one by one.
What do you think the one thing the victim of your offense might need to hear that might be helpful for them?
"That I'm sorry," an inmate answers.
More at
Minnesota Public Radio.
