First Circle of Accountability Promising
Jan 20th, 2012
Safe and Sound held its first Circle of Accountability on January 12th. Circles of Accountability is a pilot project with Children’s Court and the District Attorney’s Office aimed at building a greater understanding of the destructive impacts of burglary while reducing juvenile burglary in the City of Milwaukee. By the numbers, burglary was the number one offense among both first offenders and overall in 2010. There were 151 burglaries among first-time offenders in 2010, constituting 14.4% of all offenses among first offenders. Overall, there was a total of 358 referrals for burglaries in 2010, constituting 15% of all offenses by youth referred.
In the Circles, Juvenile Burglary Offenders are part of a uniquely structured conversation that involves others who have been victimized by burglary. Multiple facilitators are used to lead the discussion in a constructive manner that builds trust and a sense of community among the participants. If a burglary victim is willing to participate a separate process is used. For Circles of Accountability, a “Surrogate Victim” is used because many times the offenders actual victim is traumatized by the crime and not willing to be involved. The process also involves specially trained adult and youth Community Representatives. The role of these volunteers is to ask tough questions that open up the dialogue and reveal the harms that impact not only the victim but the broader community. Many of the adults and youth are from Safe & Sound Safe Places and part of a Crime Strategies Initiative (CSI). Currently Running Rebels Community Organization and COA Youth & Family Centers’ Goldin Center have trained youth and adults involved in the process.
The January 12th Circle opened up with the Surrogate Victim sharing his story of when he was victimized by a burglary in his home. Each participant an opportunity to share and reflect on the story and ask questions about how he has been impacted. The three Juvenile Offenders who were referred to the program also got to share their own story of their burglary crimes and what their experience was. Questions were asked about how the crime impacted them, their families, and the community. Each member of the Circle was given an equal chance to share and reflect using a “talking piece.” To lead the discussion, the facilitator asked questions like “what were the harms that were caused by these burglaries?” Everyone shared insightful comments and learned from the process.
Finally, the Juveniles paired up with an adult Community Representative mentor and wrote their apology letters to their victims. Then everyone gathered one last time to reflect on the process and what the each had learned that evening. The talking piece was passed around one last time and the facilitator asked “what advice or encouragement do you have for each other?” The young offenders shared what had impacted them the most from the conversation. The youth Community Representatives played an important role in the January 12th Circle by showing how they relate and asking questions in a way that helped the Juveniles open up and participate more. Everyone walked away with a better understanding of burglary and the impact it has on our community.
Perhaps one of the most important outcomes is the sense of community that results from the Circle. Although seemingly simple, after sharing food together and a few hours of interaction there is a bond created. It is related to making oneself vulnerable, sharing inner thoughts and self reflection in a small, an focused group. The Facilitators are trained to help create a “safe space” in the Circle so everyone can feel comfortable. The Surrogate Victim sets the tone of openness and honesty when they share their story first. The Youth Community Representatives are especially important to the process because the young Juvenile Offenders can relate to them.
Through the conversation, the Juveniles are held accountable for their actions in a firm and supportive manner.
A similar restorative justice process called Community Conferencing through the DA’s office has a success rate of reducing the repeat offenses by 80%. Circles of Accountability is a pilot program and still in its early stages, but the impact and outcomes from first Circle are promising. If you would like to learn more about Circles of Accountability, please contact Lauren Thrift, Restorative Justice Coordinator, at 414-221-6711.
