Illinois Balanced and Restorative Justice IBARJI (Illinois Balanced and Restorative Justice Initiative)

Difference from “traditional” justice: Instead of asking: What rule was broken? Who did it? How will we punish them? Restorative Justice asks: What harm was done? How can the harm be repaired? Who is responsible?

The Restorative Justice Grid

Finding Common Ground Victim Offender Community

Victim/Offender Conferencing Restorative Practices Victim Impact Panels/Classes Restitution Victim/Offender Conferencing Circle Sentencing Community Panels ENCOUNTER PRACTICES Restorative Group Conferencing Restorative Peer Juries Letters of Apology Community Service

Four Important Elements make it more likely that programs will reflect restorative principles Encounter: Creates opportunity for all to meet to discuss the crime and its harm to others. Amends: Expects offenders to take steps to repair the harm done to others. Reintegration: Seeks to restore victims and offenders to whole, contributing members of society. Inclusion: Provides opportunities for all to collaborate in creating a resolution.

The Big 5 Restorative Justice Questions To determine if a process, program or activity complies with the concept of restorative justice, we ask: Does it show equal concern for victims, offenders and the community of those affected? Does it encourage the offender to feel accountable for his conduct and be willing to repair the harm they caused the victim and the community in a way that helps the offender develop competency Does it provide opportunities for dialogue, direct and/or indirect, between all of the community of those affected, including the victim and offender? Does it encourage those involved to collaborate in restoring and developing positive relationships among those affected, including the victim and the offender? Does it empower those affected to increase their capacity to recognize and respond to harm and crime in a restorative way?

The restorative chat Tell me what happened. What were you thinking at the time? What do you think about it now? Who did this affect? What do you need to do about it? How can we make sure this doesn’t happen again? What can I do to help you?

Terence. bevington@learningtrust. co. uk Terence.bevington@learningtrust.co.uk Restorative Practice Development Officer, BEST, The Learning Trust Tel: 020 8820 7237

The “Balanced Approach” It is an approach that takes restorative justice one step further and considers the concepts of accountability, competency development and community safety with regard to crimes by young offenders.

What do these terms mean? Accountability: When an young person commits a crime, they create an obligation to victims and their community. Competency Development: Young people who enter the juvenile justice system should leave more capable than when they entered. Community Safety: Juvenile Justice has a responsibility to protect the public from juveniles in the system.

ACCOUNTABILITY COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT BARJ COMMUNITY SAFETY

Contact Information Illinois Balanced & Restorative Justice Project Executive Director: Sally Wolf 217-714-8864, sallywolf@ibarj.org Operations Manager: Sara Balgoyen 217-379-4939, sarab@ibarj.org Office: PO BOX 87 Paxton, IL 60957 Website: www.ibarj.org