Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice and Offenders

As an offender, you will have the opportunity to receive support from community members and your own personally selected support persons in making positive changes in your behavior and in your life. Restorative Justice allows you the opportunity to tell your own story and be heard. If you are participating in this process stemming from involvement in the court system, you may be allowed to create your own sentence, along with Circle members. You may also be given the chance to repair any harm you or your crime may have caused to the victim(s), the community and to yourself.

The following is a letter written by one offender who completed the Peacemaking Sentencing Circle Process.

To whom it may concern,

I wish to share with you my experience of the Circle group and its benefits. Like you, I was unsure of what it was all about and confused with my situation. To put it bluntly, the Circle group is made up people who want to help you if you want to help yourself. This alternative to court is for you to share your experience with your peers and receive help to correct whatever has lead you here.

First off, you meet with the members of your group and they explain in detail what the process is about. Then you will have the option of going through with the Circle or to go back to the court system. You will only be accepted to the Circle if you are 100% willing to give this a chance, be open minded, honest and receptive to all in your circle. And the most important thing is that your voice will be equal in the decisions of the circle. If you choose to go through with it you will be required to follow all agreements that you have made with them, show up on time to your meetings and communicate by phone when requested.

It's hard to put into words what this can do for you, but given my opportunity to go through this, it was very helpful in dealing and understanding my problems. All these great people in Circle donate their time and effort to help you in the way they feel the system can not. They listen and understand and most have been through things like you. But like I said before, the choice is yours to make. Trust someone who has gone through this. It is your best option and if you're wanting a change in your life for the better, this is it.

And remember that this is my experience you will have to make your own choice. But I will hope that my words have given you a better understanding of your option.

Anonymous Circle Participant

Click below to learn more:

• Restorative Justice Practices at TFA
• Restorative Justice for Offenders
• Restorative Justice for Victims
• Peacemaking Sentencing Circle Application
• News and Events
• Related Sites