Jon Wilson Curriculum Vitae
Jon Wilson – VOD Facilitator and Trainer
Jon Wilson is founder and director of JUST Alternatives, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to supporting victims/survivors of violence, violation, and exploitation, and to the advancement of promising victim-centered practices in justice and corrections. He has been a Victim Offender Dialogue (VOD) facilitator with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Victim Services Division and the Victim Service offices of the Maine Department of Corrections, the Massachusetts Department of Correction, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections, and the Vermont Department of Corrections. Jon was trained in facilitating victim offender dialogues in crimes of severe violence by David Doerfler and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Victim Services staff, as well as by Karin Ho, Victim Services Coordinator for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, and by Dr. Mark Umbreit at the University of Minnesota. He has also trained with David Gustafson and Sandra Bergen of Fraser River Community Justice Initiatives in British Columbia, and Howard Zehr and Tammy Krause at Eastern Mennonite University. Jon has attended the National Victim Assistance Academy, and he has trained in the area of predatory and extremely violent crime victimization with such experts as retired FBI profiler Roy Hazelwood and psychologist Dr. Anna Salter.
Jon is especially committed to providing support to victims/survivors of severe violence and violation, and to thoroughly victim-centered approaches to helping them to find a sense of healing and justice, including through facilitated VOD. He understands the needs of victims/survivors who have been traumatized, especially in cases of homicide, and in cases of sexual assault or exploitation, and he is familiar with the challenges they face in surviving and thriving. During the VOD preparation process his deep support for survivors is matched by his sensitive work with offenders as they come to a more personal understanding of the impacts of their crimes, and to the accountability their survivors expect.
In an effort to broaden his understanding of why offenders commit the violent crimes they do, he co-facilitated, from 2000-2004, an inmate education and self-examination program at the Maine State Prison. In 2001, the Governor of Maine appointed Jon to the Maine State Prison Board of Visitors, an oversight and advisory board, on the strength of his victim-centered commitment to corrections and rehabilitation issues. He has chaired this Board of Visitors since 2004.
In addition to VOD case facilitation, Jon presents in victim- and offender-related conference and seminar venues around the country, as well as in college classes where issues of violence, victimization, accountability, justice, and healing are discussed. He has conducted, formerly with colleague David Doerfler, and now on his own, facilitator trainings for victim service and corrections professionals, clinicians, social workers, attorneys, and others interested in a victim-centered approach to VOD. He remains steadfastly committed to thoroughly victim-centered support, advocacy, and facilitation work.
Education and Training: Victims, Offenders, and VOD
Texas Department of Criminal Justice-Victim Services Division: February, 2000.
96-hour training in Victim Offender Mediation/Dialogue in Crimes of Severe Violence, with David Doerfler, etc.
University of Minnesota Center for Restorative Justice & Peacemaking: June, 2001.
48-hour Advanced Training in Victim-Sensitive Mediation/Dialogue in Crimes of Severe Violence, with Mark Umbreit, Ph.D., Karin Ho, Ronette Burkes, Ed Mendoza, and Carolyn McLeod.
University of Texas School of Social Work (host): May, 2002.
40-hour Advanced Training/Colloquium, with David Gustafson and Sandra Bergen of Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives (BC), David Doerfler of Concentric Journeys (TX), and Marilyn Peterson Armour, Ph.D., University of Texas School of Social Work.
Eastern Mennonite University, Summer Peacebuilding Institute: June, 2002.
46-hour Training, Working with Survivors of Capital Crimes, with Tammy Krause, MA, Howard Zehr, Ph.D., and Richard Burr, J.D.
Alaska Department of Corrections: September, 2002.
30-hour Victim Offender Dialogue Training with Karin Ho, Victim Services Coordinator for the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.
Specialized Training Services, Inc. February, 2005.
14-hour training on The Sexually Violent Offender, with Roy Hazelwood, M.S., FBI (ret).
Specialized Training Services, Inc. February, 2005.
14-hour training on Sex Offenders and Victims, with Anna Salter, Ph.D.
California State University, Fresno: June, 2005.
40-hour National Victim Assistance Academy: Foundations in Victim Services, with Steven Walker, Ph.D., Bernadette Muscat, Ph.D., Arthur Wint, J.D., Jill Weston, and Kevin “Kip” Lowe, Ph.D.
Office for Victims of Crime (OVC): July, 2005.
Two-day training on The Ultimate Trainer, with Christine Edmunds and Kevin “Kip” Lowe, Ph.D.
The Academy Group, Inc.: October, 2005.
Two-week training on Violent Crime Behavior, with retired FBI agents Robert R. (Roy) Hazelwood, M.S., Roger L. Depue, Ph.D., Kenneth V. Lanning, Michael R. Napier, Peter A. Smerick, M. Ed., Richard L. Ault, Jr., Ph.D., Janet I. Warren, D.S.W., and Larry E. McCann.
Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA): December, 2005.
12-hour training on the Canadian COSA model for working with sex offenders released into the community, with Robin Wilson, Ph.D. and Eileen Henderson.
Office for Victims of Crime (OVC): February, 2006.
Two-day training on The Sexual Assault Advocate/Counselor, with Linda E. Ledray, RN, Ph.D., SANE-A.
Minnesota Department of Corrections: March, 2010.
Two-day VOCARE Program (Victims, Offenders, and Community Members). Reflecting on the Impacts of the Sexual Victimization of Children.
Office for Victims of Crime (OVC): May, 2011.
Two-day training on Strengthening Military-Civilian Community Partnerships to Respond to Sexual Assault, with Ms. Hallie Martyniuk, Major Brian Teter, USAF, and Army Sergeant Major (ret) Donald R. Werts.
Corrections-Based Victim Services VOD Case Facilitation
Texas Department of Criminal Justice – Victim Services Division:
Mediator in the Victim Offender Mediation/Dialogue program: 2000-2002.
Facilitated preparation and dialogue between the daughter of a victim of capital murder and the offender, who is serving a life sentence. (2000-2001)
Facilitated the preparation and “videotape dialogue” between a survivor of rape and the offender, an admitted serial rapist who would not admit to this assault – but who is serving a life sentence for it. (2001-2002)
Facilitated a “surrogate” dialogue between this victim/survivor and another admitted serial rapist serving a life sentence and willing to help her try to understand the mind of a rapist. (2002)
Maine Department of Corrections – Office of Victim Services:
Victim Offender Dialogue Facilitator in Crimes of Severe Violence: 2000-2010.
Facilitated preparation and dialogue between a survivor of domestic assault/attempted murder and the offender, who was approaching his release date. (2000-2001)
Facilitated preparation and dialogue between the adoptive father of a 26-year-old man who was shot to death and the offender convicted of the murder. (2003-2004)
Facilitated preparation and dialogue for a mother and daughter with the stepfather convicted of unlawful sexual contact and gross sexual assault. (2006)
Attempted to fulfill the request from the stepmother of a young man killed by a drunk driver to meet and talk with the offender incarcerated for OUI Manslaughter. Offender withdrew, after beginning preparation process, for personal reasons. (2007-2008)
Attempted to fulfill the request from the daughter of a woman killed by her husband to meet and talk with the stepfather convicted of manslaughter. Offender withdrew from the preparation process, for personal reasons. (2008-2009)
Facilitated preparation and dialogue between a survivor of domestic assault and kidnapping and the offender in these crimes. (2009-2010)
Massachusetts Department of Correction – Office of Victim Services:
Victim Offender Dialogue Facilitator in Crimes of Severe Violence: 2004-present.
Attempted to fulfill a mother’s request to meet and talk with the offender convicted of killing her 15-year-old son. Offender did not accept responsibility for the murder, so the process did not go forward. Years later, offender did take responsibility, and a dialogue was successfully facilitated. (2004, 2008, 2010)
Facilitated preparation and dialogue between the mother of a 19-year-old son killed in 2001, and one of the offenders convicted in that murder. (2005-2006)
Facilitated preparation and dialogue between this mother and another of the offenders convicted in the 2001 murder of her son. (2007)
Facilitated the preparation and dialogue between the victim/survivor and the offender in a domestic relationship. Offender was convicted of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (multiple stabbings), and scheduled for release in 2008. (2006)
Facilitating ongoing preparation for VOD between a victim/survivor and the offender convicted in the 1983 murder of the survivor’s brother. (2008-present)
Facilitated preparation and dialogue between the mother of young girl severely wounded in a neighborhood shooting, and the offender convicted in this crime. (2008-2009)
Facilitating preparation for VOD between a victim/survivor and the offender convicted in the 1992 murder of the survivor’s sister. (2011-present)
Vermont Department of Corrections – Office of Victim Services:
Provisional Victim Offender Dialogue Facilitator in Crimes of Severe Violence.
Attempted to fulfill a victim/survivor’s request to meet and talk with the offender convicted of sexually assaulting her in 1996. Offender’s position and attitude was inappropriate for VOD. (2004)
Facilitating ongoing preparation for VOD between a young man and the offender convicted of aggravated sexual assault. (2008-present)
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections – Crime Victim Services:
Provisional Victim Offender Dialogue Facilitator in Crimes of Severe Violence.
Facilitated preparation and dialogue for VOD between the mother of a young man shot and killed in 1999, and the former domestic partner of the mother, convicted of manslaughter. (2008-9)
Facilitating preparation between the former wife of a man convicted of molestation and sexual assault of their two daughters, and this offender. (2010-present)
Typical (non-VOD) Victim/Survivor Outreach/Listening/Support:
Listening & support for a woman who was sexually victimized as a girl by her father, who has refused
to acknowledge his betrayal and violation of her.
Listening & support for a woman who was sexually exploited as a pre-teenage girl by a young neighborhood man, and whose own mother later tried to shoot her.
Listening & support for a man who was sexually exploited as a boy by a trusted adult male mentor.
Listening & support for a woman who was sexually assaulted while out of the country.
Listening & support for a woman whose adult daughter was shot and killed by her domestic partner.
Listening & support for a man who was sexually victimized as a child by his father.
Correctional Facilities List – Past/Current VOD Case Work
KENTUCKY
Lee Adjustment Center (Corrections Corp. of America), Beattyville, Kentucky
LOUISIANA
Louisiana State Penitentiary, Angola, Louisiana
Dixon Correctional Institute, Jackson, Louisiana
MAINE
Bolduc Correctional Facility, Warren, Maine
Maine Correctional Center, South Windham, Maine
Maine State Prison, Warren, Maine
Womens Reentry Center, Bangor, Maine
Somerset County Jail, Madison, Maine
MASSACHUSETTS
Massachusetts Correctional Institution – Shirley, Shirley, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Correctional Institution – Norfolk, Norfolk, Massachusetts
Massachusetts Correctional Institution – Concord, Concord, Massachusetts
Old Colony Correctional Center, Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Pondville Correctional Center, Norfolk, Massachusetts
Souza-Baranowski Correctional Center, Shirley, Massachusetts
TEXAS
Ellis Unit, Huntsville, Texas
Wayne Scott Unit, Angleton, Texas
Victim-Centered VOD Facilitator Trainings for Victim Service Agencies
Jon Wilson began training VOD facilitators in 2002 with his Texas colleague, David Doerfler, of Concentric Journeys. Now on his own, Jon provides Experiential Victim-Centered VOD Facilitator Trainings for corrections-based victim service and allied agencies only. For further information on these Victim-Centered VOD Facilitator Trainings for such agencies, please contact JUST Alternatives directly.
JUST Alternatives Victim-Centered VOD Facilitator Trainings (2006–present)
Kansas Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services
Facilitating Victim-Centered VOD in Crimes of Severe Violence – (four days)
North Newton, Kansas – September, 2011.
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Office of Victim Services:
Advanced Training: Deepening Our Victim-Centered Practice as VOD Facilitators – (two days)
Jackson, Louisiana – July, 2011.
West Virginia Division of Corrections Office of Victim Services:
Facilitating Victim-Centered VOD in Crimes of Severe Violence – (four days)
Glenville, West Virginia – June, 2010.
The United States Attorney’s Office – District of Nebraska, in conjunction with the
Nebraska Department of Correctional Services:
Facilitating Victim-Centered VOD in Crimes of Severe Violence – (five days)
La Vista, Nebraska – March, 2010.
The United States Attorney’s Office – District of Nebraska, in conjunction with the
Nebraska Department of Correctional Services:
Victim Offender Dialogue: A Process for Helping Crime Victims Heal – (one and one-half days)
Omaha, Nebraska – October, 2009.
Kansas Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services – through Offender/Victim Ministries of Newton, Kansas:
Facilitating Victim-Centered VOD in Crimes of Severe Violence – (five days)
North Newton, Kansas – June, 2009.
Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections Office of Victim Services:
Deepening Our Victim-Centered Practice as VOD Facilitators – (three days)
Loranger, Louisiana – May, 2009.
Vermont Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services:
Deepening Our Victim-Centered Practice as VOD Facilitators – (one and one-half days)
Waterbury, Vermont - December, 2008.
Vermont Department of Corrections Office of Victim Services:
Victim-Centered VOD in Vermont: Addressing Issues & Advancing Practices – (two days)
Montpelier, Vermont – April, 2008.
Victim-Centered Victim Offender Dialogues in Crimes of Severe Violence – (six days)
Randolph, Vermont - November, 2006.
Concentric Journeys/JUST Alternatives Trainings (2002-2005)
San Antonio, Texas: Facilitating Victim-Centered Offender-Sensitive Dialogue in Crimes of Severe Violence (six days) – May, 2005.
Wisconsin Department of Corrections: Facilitating Victim-Centered Offender-Sensitive Dialogues in Crimes of Severe Violence (six days) LaCrosse, Wisconsin - November, 2004.
Austin, Texas: Facilitating Victim-Centered Offender-Sensitive Dialogues in Crimes of Severe Violence (six days)
- July, 2004.
New Hampshire Department of Corrections: Victim-Offender Dialogue: 2004 Annual Facilitators Training (two days) Portsmouth, New Hampshire – May, 2004.
San Antonio, Texas: Facilitating Victim-Centered Offender-Sensitive Dialogues in Crimes of Severe Violence (six days) – May, 2004.
San Anselmo, California: Facilitating Victim-Centered Offender-Sensitive Dialogues in Crimes of Severe Violence (six days) – March, 2004.
Georgetown, Kentucky: Facilitating Victim-Centered Offender-Sensitive Dialogues in Crimes of Severe Violence: An NIC-funded Experiential Training (six days) – January, 2004.
San Antonio, Texas: On Being a Wounded Healer: Lessons from Victim-Centered Offender-Sensitive Dialogues in Crimes of Severe Violence (six days) – November, 2003.
San Antonio, Texas: “Understanding the Victim and Offender” Lessons from VOMD Training (six days)
- September, 2003.
California Department of Corrections: Facilitating Victim-Centered Offender-Sensitive Dialogues in Crimes of Severe Violence (six days) – Novato, California – July, 2003.
Austin, Texas: Facilitating Victim-Centered Offender-Sensitive Dialogues in Crimes of Severe Violence (six days)
- July, 2003.
New York City, New York: Mediating Victim-Centered Offender-Sensitive Dialogues in Crimes of Severe Violence (six days) – June, 2003.
Edinburgh, Scotland: Mediating Victim-Centered Offender-Sensitive Dialogues in Crimes of Severe Violence (five days) – February, 2003.
Montgomery, Alabama: Mediating Victim-Centered Offender-Sensitive Dialogue in Crimes of Severe Violence (three days) – August, 2002.
Austin, Texas: Mediating Victim-Centered Offender-Sensitive Dialogue in Crimes of Severe Violence (six days)
– July, 2002.
Justice and Corrections Affiliations – Jon Wilson
Maine State Prison:
Co-facilitator in the Pre-Release Education Program (PREP): 2000-2004.
Maine State Prison Board of Visitors: Chairman (current); Member (2001-present).
A state prison oversight and advisory committee reporting to the Governor.
Appointed to the Board by Governor Angus S. King, Jr.
Maine Reentry Network Steering Committee: Member – appointed 2005.
Hancock County Community Reparations Board: Member – 2000-2004.
Founding member of Maine’s first community reparations board – a pilot program.
Massachusetts Department of Correction – Victim Services Council:
Member – appointed by Commissioner Kathleen M. Dennehy, December, 2004.
American Correctional Association:
Member – 2000-present.
National Center for Victims of Crime:
Member – 2005-present.
National Association of Victim Service Professionals in Corrections:
Member – 2007-present
Crime Victims Report: for Criminal Justice Professionals and Providers of Support Services:
Editorial Board of Advisors – 2004-2007.