Presentation to theVirginia Criminal Sentencing

CommissionApril 13, 2015

Judy Clarke, Executive Director, Virginia Center For Restorative Justice

Mark Crowley, Executive Director, Try ThisLawrie Parker, Executive Director, Piedmont Dispute Resolution

Center

A theory of justice that focuses on repairing the harm that a criminal offense inflicts on victims (direct and indirect), offenders, and communities of care.

Source: Virginia State Crime Commission powerpoint presentationSeptember 16, 2009

In general, RJ aims to:--Involve all key stakeholders in the justice

process;--Balance the needs of all stakeholders;--Hold the offender accountable for their actions;--Insure victim satisfaction and reduced levels of

fear;--Benefit the community and repair the overall

harm caused by the criminal offense.

Source: Virginia State Crime Commission powerpoint presentationSeptember 16, 2009

Points of Referral to RJ programs can include:

--Informal/School;--Pretrial;--Sentencing;--During incarceration;

or,--Probation/Re-entry

Source: Virginia State Crime Commission powerpoint presentationSeptember 16, 2009

Evaluations of RJ initiatives have found substantial reductions in recidivism for both violent and property crimes.

Evidence consistently suggested that victims benefit, on average, from face-to-face RJ conferences.

Source: Virginia State Crime Commission powerpoint presentationSeptember 16, 2009

Restorative justice-based programs have been operating in Virginia since the 1980’s with promising outcomes for victims, offenders, and communities of care.

It is evident that more consistent, rigorous program evaluations be conducted. Such evaluations need to examine specific performance outcomes, including: Rates of recidivism; Victims’ and communities’ perceived fairness;

and, Cost (any reduction in cost compared to

traditional approach). Source: Virginia State Crime Commission powerpoint presentation--September 16, 2009

Purpose: Improve public safety in communities located throughout the Commonwealth by empowering each community to participate in the criminal justice process through the use of restorative justice evidenced-based practices.

Initial Meeting: Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at the Department of Criminal Justice Services

Step 1: Implement restorative justice evidenced-based practices in schools, juvenile courts, juvenile detention centers, jails and prisons to improve public safety in our communities, reduce juvenile recidivism and the cost of juvenile corrections.

Step 2: Research, report and develop a restorative justice model for implementation throughout the Commonwealth to include a basis of metrics designed to prove the validity or success of such program.

  Step 3: Seek funding for the establishment of an

Office of Restorative Justice and a statewide restorative justice program model.

Discussion