serious or fatal injury by a moving vehicle, provides an alternative to court hearings. In separate interviews and preparation
meetings, facilitators help victims identify what they want
the offender to know about how they have been affected,
and what questions they would like answered. Offenders are
prepared to take responsibility and understand the impact
of their choices and actions. After this preparation, the victim and offender may meet together with a facilitator in the
dialogue process. Both victims and offenders find these challenging and emotional conversations help them transition
through and even transform their experience of harm. While
offenders receive no tangible benefits related to sentencing,
they express great benefit from giving whatever they can to
help those they have harmed.
RE-ENTRY CIRCLES
Some CDRCs are providing RJ circles that help incarcerated
men and women prepare for reunification with their families
and communities. In cooperation with local jails and correctional facilities, CDRCs conduct re-entry circles for inmates
expecting release within a year. In these circles, participants
are given space to talk about the harmful consequences
for everyone affected by their extended separation and to
discuss plans for their release. Circle members find these programs help them to restore family connections and improve
communication skills.
PROBATION PARTNERSHIPS FOR
JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND DIVERSION
Throughout New York State, probation departments refer
young people to CDRCs for petition diversions, which result
from truancy and other habitually disobedient behavior. Probation also refers youth through juvenile delinquency diversion
following arrests for incidents like petty larceny, assault, property damage and reckless endangerment. Community Dispute
Resolution Center staff first meet with young people and their
parents to discuss program expectations so they can decide
whether to participate in this program. Community Dispute
Resolution Centers then coordinate an array of collaborative
responses with probation, schools and social services. Some
options include educational seminars about making better
choices and parent-child mediation to talk through concerns
and issues together. One parent said of her experience,
“Thanks to you, this was the first time in three months that I was
able to talk with my daughter.”
Some CDRCs also offer a community conferencing model for
cases involving youth under the age of 16 who are involved in
the justice system. Participants in the conference may include
anyone affected by an incident of harm, along with the young
person’s supporters, to have a deliberate conversation about
what happened, the impact it had, and what can be done to
make the situation better. These conferences have been used
as part of pre-trial diversionary programs as well as after court
processes. Referrals come mainly from the Department of Probation and Family Court.
JUVENILE DRUG COURT
In addition to an identified problem of drug and/or alcohol
abuse, youth referred to drug court may have been officially
charged with a crime or have an active Persons in Need of
Supervision (PINS) case due to their pattern of behavior(s)
such as truancy, fighting, or running away. Working in concert with a problem-solving Youth Drug Court, the local CDRC
hosts weekly peer circles with at-risk youthful offenders. As
part of this 12-month court program, which includes family
meetings and classes that support learning about making
healthy choices, RJ circles bring peers together regularly
to discuss challenges and share strategies for successful
change. The circles build a community of support and help
develop social skills and leadership. Recognizing the value
of relationships for successful transitions and sustainable
change, CDRC staff also facilitate family group conferences
and offer parent-child mediation to address harm and restore
family and community relationships. Participants appreciate the opportunities this program offers: “I love having the
chance to express myself without being judged, and that I am
not going through this alone.”
YOUTH COURT
Community Dispute Resolution Center Youth courts can
be effective responses to trespassing, property damage,
and other similar incidents, through positive peer influence
and RJ-based sanctions. Alternative responses can include
accountability/competency circles, education classes, victim
impact statements, community service, and referrals for alcohol and substance abuse services. Supported by their local
communities, schools, law enforcement, court magistrates
and other agencies are making referrals to this program. This
comment is typical of the personal responses of youth who
have gone through the program: “I understand the impact
of my actions a little better. Now I notice things that I should
change for myself.”
SCHOOL-BASED SERVICES
Last year CDRCs served more than 12,000 young people and
trained 8,386 youth as peer mediators or in conflict resolution
skills. In the 2016-17 school year, some CDRCs have expanded
their services by launching the Community Mediation School
Corps (CMSC). An AmeriCorps-based program funded by the
One parent said of her experience,
“Thanks to you, this was the first time
in three months that I was able to
talk with my daughter.”
