RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
by Angela Brooks, Director of Community Outreach
When a juvenile crime happens it can bring harm. Far too often it can be the beginning of a negative cycle of repetitive, destructive action. Restorative Justice Louisville, Inc (RJL) understands that the criminal justice system can provide a lot of resources to respond to juvenile crime, but by providing additional support they can help prevent a hopeless cycle. The St. Paul Justice Team will fund a Restorative Justice facilitator training in memory of Sam Foster. Sam, was not only a member of St. Paul for many years, but had a big heart for helping others. One of the many causes she advocated for was RJL. She served as facilitator for RJL for many years.
RJL is a private non-profit agency which partners with Louisville’s criminal justice system and other community organizations. RJL uses the restorative justice practice of Family Group Conferencing, a practice through which victims of juvenile crime are able to meet with their young offenders and create an agreement for making reparations. Its goal is to keep the young person out of the court system while still holding him or her responsible to everyone injured by the offense, and, most importantly, to help the victim feel heard and satisfied with the outcome. In other words, RJL seeks to protect and provide justice for victims while also enhancing the juvenile offender rehabilitation process. RJL compliments the traditional criminal justice system with its mission.
to provide a process that humanizes justice for all the parties involved while providing the opportunity for:
- Victims to have a voice and receive explanations and reparation.
- Offenders to be accountable to victims and communities.
- Communities to become involved in decisions about how harm caused by crime is to be repaired.
Having committed, skilled volunteer facilitators is key to providing quality restorative justice processes. People who apply to become RJL facilitators come from various backgrounds and communities. Therefore when considering persons for approval as RJL facilitators, the following skills and attributes are sought: collaborative, empathetic, non-judgmental, organized, flexible, thinks analytically, emotionally mature, has effective verbal communication skills, cultural, and/or ethical awareness.
If you feel that you possess any of these traits and you want to help make restorative justice a reality, consider attending a facilitator training.
To get involved contact Libby Mills at 502-585-9920 or libbymills@rjlou.org.
The next training will be July 27 and 28 and August 3 and 4.