Domestic Violence Restorative Circles (DVRC) Program Men As Peacemakers

Goals of the Presentation To learn of the structure and development of the DVRC Program To understand core theories that guide the DVRC Program and the work of the circle process To learn about the benefits and considerations to take into place with program expansion into other communities

Context of the DVRC program Recidivism rates with the Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs Majority of cases successful, smaller cases continue to create harm What programming can be offered for repeat offenders of domestic violence where traditional interventions haven’t worked?

History of DVRC Program Chief Judge Shaun Floerke gathered professionals across the field to have discussion about restorative justice alternatives with domestic violence Organizations involved: Judge County Attorney’s Office Public Defense Arrowhead Regional Corrections Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs Safe Haven American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) Restorative Justice Community Experts

History of DVRC Program Conversations took place for 7 years Piloted 3 sentencing circle cases in Results from pilot sentencing circles: Two of three cases successful Need more coordination amongst systems and circles (coordinator) Increase community volunteers, training, theory development

Sentencing Circles/Transition Circles Coordinated a successful Sentencing Circle Program for 4 years statstics about program ---- Program shifted to focus on Transition Circles in October 2014

DVRC Program Today Three overarching program goals: 1. To hold offenders accountable for their use of violence; to help them understand long-term impact of violence; to change their behaviors 2. To increase victim safety and autonomy 3. To successfully transition offenders from crime to community

DVRC Program Today - Circle Structures Transition Circles One offender per circle 4-6 trained community volunteers 2 circle keepers (male and female) Advocate/survivor Community Volunteers match offender needs Support Circles One victim/survivor per circle 3-5 trained community volunteers 1-2 circle keepers Advocate/survivor Volunteers match victim/survivor needs

DVRC Program Today - Circle Structure 6 months in length Meet once per week, 2 hours at a time Transition circles start at Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC) and continue when offender is released out into the community 6 Months At NERCC At Men As Peacemakers 3 months follow-up circles

DVRC Program - Community Volunteers ● Volunteers from the community participate in circles ● Recruitment comes a variety of ways: ○ Word of Mouth ○ DVRC Newsletter ○ Website/Social Media ● Volunteers must go through a 12 hour group training

DVRC Program - Community Volunteers Volunteers are trained in two main fields: Domestic Violence Theory Restorative Justice Theory

Domestic Violence Theory The DVRC has permission and adapts a similar training model as the Domestic Abuse Intervention Program (DAIP) Individual Pathology Relationship Dysfunction 2 hour exercise on context of violence Cycle of Violence Theory of Dominance

Restorative Justice Theory Circle Guidelines Talking Piece Role of Circle-Keepers Curious Questions Questions with no right or wrong answer Open-ended, trying to identify belief systems

DVRC and the Criminal Justice System There are three stages of the DVRC Program interacting with the Criminal Justice System 1. Identifying and Screening Transition Circle Participants (pre-circle) 2. The Circle 3. Follow-up circles (post-circle)

DVRC and the Criminal Justice System 1. Referrals and Screening a. Referral come through the County Attorney’s Office, Public Defense, Probation, and/or NERCC case managers b. Screened by DVRC Coordinator and Probation i. Gather police reports, complaints, etc. ii. Meet with the participant iii. Screen through the DVRC Steering Committee iv. Accepted and written into plea deal and/or probation conditions 2. The Circle a. Coordinate ongoing with probation regarding circle progress 3. Post-Circle a. Submit Goals and Agreements Contract to court b. Coordinate ongoing with probation with follow-up circles

DVRC and the Criminal Justice System DVRC Steering Committee Chief Judge Shaun Floerke St. Louis County Attorney’s Office Public Defenders Office Arrowhead Regional Corrections (NERCC & Probation) Men As Peacemakers Domestic Abuse Intervention Programs (DAIP) American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO) Safe Haven Shelter & Resource Center Restorative Justice Professionals

DVRC By The Numbers Offenders 33 offenders served for Transition and Sentencing Circles 20 in Sentencing Circles 13 in Transition Circles Victims 32 victims served for advocacy 9 victim requested support circles Volunteers Jan-April 2016: 575 volunteer connections (phone, in person, ) Currently 70 active community volunteers There are no repeat criminal charges for domestic violence for participants who’ve completed the program

Evaluating the DVRC Program Contracting with researchers from the University of Minnesota Duluth to evaluate success of the DVRC Program ● Pre-circle surveys and post-circle surveys ● Pre-circle interviews and post-circle interviews with offenders ● Pre-circle interviews and post-circle interviews with victim/survivors Will be two years into the Program Evaluation in October 2016

Benefits of the DVRC Program Successful Transition Circle Cases High intensity program is a good “match” for difficult cases Addresses domestic violence and transitions into the community Increased Safety to Victims Increased communication to victims post-sentencing The combination of advocacy organizations and support circles creates a web of safety Ripple-Effect Impact on Community Volunteers Trains the community on theories of DV and creates ripple-effects on education, awareness, and engagement

Considerations of Expansion Coordination of the Criminal Justice System and Advocacy Organizations is critical Ensures circle accountability and validates community member’s time & contributions Increases victim safety Look at needs of current community Who would house the program? (advocacy organizations) Where would volunteers come from? How do we coordinate in the criminal justice system?

Questions? Erin Wojciechowski Domestic Violence Restorative Circles Coordinator, Men As Peacemakers P: ext. 12 Ed Heisler Executive Director, Men As Peacemakers P: ext. 11