Restorative Justice Community Action Inc

Programs: Adult community conferencing-rjca creates a forum in which people impacted by crime meet with offenders who commit the crimes to discuss the impact and determine restitution. It is through these community forums that rjca achieves its primary objectives of effectively addressing misdemeanor and low level felonies which helps prevent further crime and community deterioration while repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior. Rjca also provides opportunities for community-building by creating relationships within neighborhoods allowing people to work together to reinforce norms of acceptable behavior. As referred participants (offenders) recognize the impact of their behavior, they receive support and often times connect with the community in positive ways. In fy17, 288 adult offenders enrolled in rjca; 276 cases were conferenced (96% attendance rate); and 258 successfully completed the program out of 276 conferenced cases (93% success rate). Referred participants completed 1,770 hours of community service, gave 150 apologies, and donated $780 in the communities that were affected. They also completed 247 personal development activities such as working on education (ged) or writing reflection essays. This year, 249 community member participations and 99 trained volunteer facilitations occurred by 83 volunteers who met face-to-face during conferences in fy17 (volunteers are counted during year of service. Cases are evaluated when closed during fy17).

youth community conferencing--rjca creates a forum in which people impacted by crimes meet with offenders who commit the crimes to discuss the impact and determine restitution. In fy17, 112 youth offenders enrolled in rjca; 100 cases were conferenced (89% attendance rate); and 90 successfully completed the program out of 100 conferenced cases (90% success rate). Referred participants completed 349 hours of community service and gave 95 apologies in the communities that were affected. They also completed over 245 hours of personal development activities such as working with a tutor, creating a graduation plan, attending anger management classes or writing reflection essays. Over 65 volunteers completed 182 community member participations and 48 trained volunteer facilitations occurred in fy17. Along with the referred youth 81 family members and supporters met face-to-face with community members at the conferences held in fy17(family members and volunteers are counted during year of conference. Cases are evaluated when closed during fy17).