Restorative Justice Community Action

Adult programcommunity conferencing and circles: 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 connect with the Community in positive ways. The continued impact of social change and covid still affected the number of cases in fy23. 105 adult offenders enrolled in rjca, a 42.7% decrease from last year. 95 cases were conferenced (90.5% attendance rate), and 92 successfully completed the program who were conferenced (87.6% success rate). Referred participants completed 175 hours of Community service, gave 57 apology/gratitude letters, and donated 225 and 1 bags/items of in-kind donations in the communities that were affected. They also completed 510 hours of personal development activities such as working on education (ged), employment, artistic reflections, and personal goals. This year, 193 Community member participations by 51 volunteers who met primarily on zoom with rjca staff facilitators. These Community members provided 579 hours of volunteer time. Rjca began a pilot with hennepin county probation for Community circles of support and accountability. Once circle began in fy23 that included 2 circle keepers (rjca staff), 2 Community members, and the participants probation officer who meet as often as is needed. As we have learned since fy23, the average number of sessions held is 3. The process is to establish a sense of trust and belonging for the participant to develop Action steps toward their goals of moving off of probation.

Since 2020, rjca has been leading the effort of the trust network in Minnesota. In fy23 we held the first gathering to discuss the network mission and plan of Action to increase the access to and awareness of organizations and practitioners that help to prevent, interrupt and respond to violent Community conflict.

Youth programcommunity conferencing and circles: rjca creates a forum in which people impacted by crimes meet with those who commit the crimes to discuss the impact and determine restitution. In fy23, the youth Community conference cases remained about the same. This year, 56 youth offenders enrolled and conferenced, and 49 successfully completed the program (87.5% success rate). Referred participants completed 85 hours of Community service and gave 27 apologies in communities that were affected. They also completed 279 hours of personal development activities such as working with a tutor, creating a graduation plan, attending anger management classes or writing reflection essays. In fy23, 24 volunteers completed 44 Community member participations and 22 trained volunteer facilitations (msw interns). Along with the referred youth, 57 family members and supporters met face-to-face with Community members at the conferences held. (family members and volunteers are counted during year of conference. Cases are evaluated when closed during fy 23). The youth Restorative Justice disposition program successfully completed 16 cases of 25 enrolled (64%) with 6 Community circle keepers and 5 staff persons. In fy22, 35 youth were enrolled, 22 successfully completed (62.8%). 17 Community circle keepers and 5 staff circle keepers held 180 circles with youth and their support system, including family members, friends, mentors and assigned po.