Events raise awareness about crime's effect on victims

CHARLESTON, Mo. — Steve Cavanaugh was affected profoundly when he sat across from a victim at an Impact of Crime on Victims class at Southeast Correctional Center.

She cried through most of the class, aware Cavanaugh was 17 when he killed Patricia Mangles in 1991.

The man who killed her daughter was also 17.

“That hurt so much because I recognized that I was that person, and I did that to my victims,” Cavanaugh said.

Cavanaugh was one of two inmates who spoke at Southeast Correctional Center’s victim-awareness event Thursday.

Raleigh Blasdell, assistant professor in the department of criminal justice and sociology at Southeast Missouri State University, said as a victim’s advocate, she had to be convinced victims could benefit from talking to offenders.

She praised Cavanaugh and A.J. Burnett-Bey for trying to understand the effect they have had on the lives of the survivors of their crimes.

“Victims of crime come in, and they present their stories,” Blasdell said. “Offenders shared about their own victims. We have very hardened criminals who are ‘beyond repair,’ and they were breaking down. ... In the past, we’ve been very reactive. With (the) offender population, there’s potential to have a proactive approach.”

Burnett-Bey said he has been in the ICV class off and on for five years.

He said when he started, he was combative and unwilling to admit to himself the results of his crime.

Like Cavanaugh, Burnett-Bey murdered a woman in the early 1990s.

He said he has written the survivors in the family, but he’s not sure whether the letters ever have gotten through.

“Her mother lost a daughter, and because of that, she became dependent on drugs, and because of that, she overdosed,” Burnett-Bey said of the impact of his crime. “To anyone who has actually been victimized — I don’t even know if I have the right to say it — they have my apology.”

Burnett-Bey said victims are often angry when they speak to the ICV class, at least at first.

“The victims of crime have every right to want to see the victimizers punished,” Burnett-Bey said. “We’re robbing them of something sacred. These things can’t be replaced. ... The pain that they have is not going anywhere.”

Scott County victims advocate Danita Keen said she thinks victims participating in the ICV classes at Southeast Correctional could be positive, depending on the victim.

She said the No. 1 thing victims of crime need is support, adding many victims will not report crimes because they don’t feel they have the proper support in place.

“For these victims, they’re thinking about this crime every day,” she said.

Southeast Correctional Center also has a Restorative Justice program that pays restitution to victims.

Inmates raise money through gardens — they produced 25,000 pounds of vegetables last year. They also knit teddy bears and puppets that are sold.

Institutional restorative justice coordinator Mark Bartlett said funds are available to any organization or victim that applies to the administration at the prison.

Southeast dean Morris Jenkins said victims’ advocacy, a relatively recent addition to law enforcement, is part of a sea change in the criminal-justice system.

“Now we’re allowing victims to have a voice,” Jenkins said. “I would like to commend the offenders who are participating in the process.”

In Cape Girardeau, Felice Roberson, Zoia Martin, Latoshia Reed, Cape Girardeau Councilwoman Shelly Moore and St. James AME pastor Renita Lamkin held a prayer vigil Thursday on Locust Street in honor of Airious Darling, who was shot and killed March 31 at 612 Locust St.

Roberson started the group Stop Needless Acts of Violence Please in February in part to inspire residents of Cape Girardeau to talk to police after they see crimes. Roberson’s son Quinton Combs, 24, was shot and killed Nov. 15. Cape Girardeau police said there may have been as many as 60 people in the vicinity when Combs was shot.

“We’re talking about comfort for the grieving, divine intervention to heal our community and comfort for those who desire more in this life,” Roberson said of the message of her prayers. “The purpose is to wake up the city.”

The group walked up the block as they sang songs such as, “Your Grace and Mercy.”

Seven children joined in to pray and sing.

“I need a little prayer,” Zarique Childs, 10, said.

bkleine@semissourian.com

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