Website of the Month: OASIS (Offenders Accountability Synergistic Interactive Service).

The website is divided into three different sections to address the needs of different stakeholders. 

Offenders:

This section offers information about the OASIS education programme, services available to offenders and the benefits of restorative justice. The user is guided to pages with:

• eligibility information and the options for getting started with the OASIS programme

• a description of victim offender mediation and its relevance for offenders

• sample apology letters and self-improvement reports

• a listing of organizations in Nebraska to help offenders with reintegration, including those that assist with victim offender mediation

Victims:

This sections offers information about OASIS' services to victims. It allows victims to search an offender database to see whether their offenders have posted information and post their own stories. Pages explain:       

• how to post information on the site. The process is confidential and only the offender of a victim can view that victim’s profile and information. In 2004, the organization began accepting stories from family members of victims. Only the victim is allowed to initiate victim offender dialogue.

• a description of mediation and its relevance for survivors of crime.

• a victim story followed by a victim impact statement.

• a listing of Nebraska organizations offering support services to victims, including those that assist with victim offender mediation.

 Community: 

This section addresses the needs of concerned community members and relatives of offenders. It provides an opportunity for those who are indirectly affected by crime to share how that has impacted their lives. There is an option for these stories to be shared with offenders going through the OASIS educational programme. Pages offer information on:

• privacy and security protocols protecting community members to post their stories.

•  the educational work that OASIS does with offenders and in the community. Contact information is provided.

• a glimpse of offenders’ thoughts after going through the workshops.

The OASIS communications vehicle attempts to offer as much privacy and security as is possible for users. All information submitted is reviewed by the steering committee before it is posted.

Other site features include an Introduction to OASIS and a description of restorative justice.