Restorative Justice and the District Attorney’s Community Conferencing Program
Safe and Sound’s three pronged approach addresses crime by utilizing youth development, law-enforcement and community organizing. These strategies include building relationships between law-enforcement and the community as well as problem solving strategies tailored specifically to community needs.
An example of the three pronged approach is exemplified by Safe & Sounds’ collaboration with the District Attorney’s Community Conferencing Program. Non-violent first-time offenders may receive a Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA) or Diversion Agreement. These hold offenders accountable for their actions and helping them to overcome the obstacles of involvement with the criminal justice system while helping those involved overcome the effects of the crime. Agreements typically contain community service, educational or treatment goals and even letters of apology and reflection. If the commitments are fulfilled charges will be lessened or dropped, enabling the young person to avoid felony charges and more easily become a productive member of society.
Community Conferencing is based on restorative justice concepts that create a safe environment where offenders, victims and trained community members meet to consider the crime and its effects. The details of the crime, the harm that it caused and how to repair that harm are discussed by each conference member. All participants are given the chance to express themselves or the larger voice of the community as it relates to the effects of crime. The process can be incredibly inspiring and emotional, but is always a learning process for those involved.
Safe & Sound has been conducting trainings and hosting conferences to bring this criminal justice experience to Safe Place youth and community based centers. In a recent car theft case facilitated by Community Partners, the community members included Silver Spring Neighborhood Center Safe Place staff and youth. The offender talked about why he stole the car and apologized for his actions. Victims expressed their frustration and understanding of youth crime but emphasized the dangerous nature of the act perpetrated by the 17 year old. One Safe Place youth was able to discuss how he had avoided the temptations of crime, unlike members of his family, through the Safe Place’s positive influences. He provided an inspirational story of how he has held on tight to his dream of becoming the first college graduate in his family. Moreover, the Safe Place staff requested that the offender’s community service be fulfilled through Community Partners and the center so that he could experience some of the positive influences and share his story with other youth.
A related process called ‘peacemaking’ circles brings together individuals who wish to engage in conflict resolution, healing, support, decision making or other activities in which communications, relationship development, and community building are core desired outcomes. Circles offer an alternative to contemporary meeting processes that often rely on hierarchy, win-lose positioning, and victim/rescuer approaches to relationships and problem solving. Derived from native traditions, circles bring people together in a way that creates trust, respect, intimacy, good will, belonging, generosity, mutuality and reciprocity. The process is never about “changing others,” but rather is an invitation to change oneself and one’s relationship with the community. The circle process works because it brings people together in a way that allows them to see one another as human beings and to talk about what matters.
Safe & Sound has been training staff and youth in the circle process as well as hosting circles at Safe Places that create opportunities for honest communication. For example, ongoing circles at the COA Safe Place incorporate various community members, from law enforcement to ex-offenders. Each participant is able to share their personal opinions on the topics the group selects while hearing others perspectives. The hope is that youth can express themselves while listening to real people talk about how crime has affected their lives and to give those individuals in the process of re-entry an opportunity to do the same.
Two day Community Conferencing training organized by Safe & Sound and David Lerman of the District Attorney’s office in January of 2008.
