Restorative Justice - An Overview

August 10, 2011 was an historic day for Restorative Justice in the state of Colorado. Restorative Justice HB 11-1032 went into effect, having been signed by Governor Hickenlooper earlier in July. This law requires that victims be informed of their right to use restorative processes, allowing for victim-initiated restorative justice only. Restorative Justice involves a fostering of dialogue between the offender and the victim, and has shown the highest rates of victim satisfaction, true accountability by the offender, and reduced recidivism.

Restorative Justice (RJ) is based on a theory of justice and a global social change movement that endorses peaceful approaches to harm, problem-solving and violations of legal and human rights. Full Circle Restorative Justice (FCRJ), working in the 11th Judicial District (Chaffee, Custer, Fremont and Park Counties), addresses the harm caused by crime, and provides opportunities for victim empowerment and restitution, while supporting offender accountability and integration back into the community.

In the American justice system, victims are disempowered – they generally have little or no say in our legal system. The voice of the victims is represented by District Attorneys as representatives of “The State”. It is a newsworthy event when a victim is granted permission by a judge to directly address an offender.

In Restorative Justice programs, the focus is on crime and wrong-doing as acted against the individual or community rather than the State. RJ processes emphasize repairing harm caused or revealed by criminal behavior. This focus on the needs of victims and offenders forges powerful connections and individual transformations, which speeds healing. The standard focus on satisfying the abstract principles of law or the need of the community to exact punishment does not address victim or offender needs. Through RJ, the person who has done harm (offender), and the person who has been harmed (victim) take active roles.

In The Little Book of Restorative Justice by author Howard Zehr (widely recognized as a major restorative justice pioneer and the “godfather of restorative justice”), Zehr describes RJ as a paradigm shift that is best understood by asking the oft-quoted "three questions."

The more common three questions for a system of justice to ask are:
"1. What laws have been broken?, 2. Who did it?, 3. What do they deserve?"

Restorative Justice asks:
"1. Who has been hurt?, 2. What are their needs?, 3. Whose obligations are these?”

The Full Circle Restorative Justice Board of Directors includes residents of Chaffee and Fremont counties dedicated to the promotion of restorative justice as a way to support victims of crime, prevent offender recidivism and to build community. Trained volunteer facilitators value victims’ rights and support their journey to justice. Restorative Justice gives victims a voice in the legal process, helping them to express their experience to offenders, enabling those who harmed them (or their loved ones) to understand the impact of their actions through Victim-Offender Conferences. Full Circle volunteer facilitators are trained in Compassionate Communication and facilitating a restorative circle with respect and empathy.

The victim is offered the opportunity for a conference, generally through the District Attorney or a school principal, and is welcome to bring family members and friends as support. While the idea of meeting the individual that has harmed them may seem intimidating at first to victims, it gives them an opportunity to confront the offender (who is thoroughly screened prior to the restorative circle, so that the chance of re-victimization is practically non-existent). Victims are encouraged to speak freely - surrounded by caring community members - and to define justice on their terms – with input on what it will take to repair the harm, such as how many hours of community service, the amount of restitution and perhaps a letter of apology.

A written agreement/contract is prepared, which takes into account the victim’s input and requests and focuses on repairing the harm that was done -- with the offender agreeing to restitution, community service, and other sanctions. That contract is then filed with the court or school system. Offenders fulfill their mutually-agreed upon contracts or return to the D.A.’s Office or the principal.

Restorative Justice has the unique power to transform lives, help victims heal, reduce recidivism and the high cost of crime and incarceration. The benefits of Restorative Justice include giving victims a voice in the justice process, enabling offenders to understand the impact of their actions on a victim as well as the community, and providing opportunities for offenders to repair the harm and help ensure positive future choices.

The volunteers and staff at Full Circle understand that the concept of Restorative Justice – moving from retribution/punishment to restoration/repair in response to harm - is a paradigm shift. To learn more, please contact FCRJ at fullcirclerj@gmail.com or call 719-221-3069.

Bunnies 101

As a neophyte in the rabbit world, I didn’t have many preconceived notions when it came time to be a bunny “Mom.” So here are a few lessons I’ve learned from taking on the care of Boy George and Little Leon – now “Leona”.

Poop Production

At first it may seem that the level of enjoyment of having bunnies as pets is outweighed by the sheer amount of time spent dealing with amazing amounts of poop ‘pellets”. My bunnies’ “condo” has been remodeled three times by my husband, who believes in low maintenance and easy clean up. Let’s just say that the wire floors in the cage are there for a reason – even if the “Love Your Bunny” book says wire hurts their paws. So have a platform of wood/plastic in the cage as well – but mainly the poop needs to fall through the wire to create an incredible mound of bunny manure in a very short time.

Bunny “Sexing”

Trying to gender identify very young rabbits is near impossible, from what I understand from two experienced rabbit raisers. So when I insisted that every bunny needs a friend, and I chose two “brothers” – well – now I have to schedule a neuter ASAP. It’s been 3 weeks since I took my 4 week old “boy” bunnies home and so far I’m lucky they haven’t figured out how to breed yet. Ack.

Bunny Food & Treats

Turns out young bunnies should stick to rabbit pellets, hay and alfalfa cubes only. While they may love a radish or a carrot – their digestive systems aren’t quite ready to handle them. I give them a tiny taste of those veggies on rare occasions. Supposedly after six months, they can eat a lot of more of that “rabbit food” – salad and greens!

I’ve grown quite attached to the really friendly Boy George who loves to be cuddled, and to shy Little Leona, who loves kicking up her bunny heels when out on our enclosed patio – but is so hard to catch when it’s time to return them to their clean cage. Young bunnies are super cute and playful with lots of energy. I enjoy their antics and quiet personalities. There’s no such thing as a boring bunny.

Consider adopting a rabbit as a pet today. You may find out you’re a bunny lover at heart.

Published in the "Pawprints" column in the Mountain Mail, August 2011