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Restorative Justice Programs & Services
The Restorative Approach
The restorative approach to conflict and crime emphasizes repairing the harm done to people and relationships rather than assigning blame and doling out punishment. This approach is based on the premise that conflict provides an opportunity to promote civic engagement, build community, and restore relations.
The MCJC presents conflict skills development classes, community forums, and workshops on topics related to crime and conflict to increase citizen capacity to manage individual disputes and be informed participants in resolving community problems.
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Community Conflict Assistance
The Conflict Assistance Program provides trained mediators to help neighbors work through problems and find solutions to conflicts.
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Restorative Outreach Services
Resource or Service Navigation provides enhanced community connections and may include referrals to relevant service agencies, and resource identification within a community. It is intended to serve individuals for a short-term period with the greatest intensity during the first three months following the release from incarceration.
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Restorative Justice Responses to Conflict & Crime
People who commit certain lower level offenses are referred to the MCJC's Restorative Justice Alternative Program for a restorative justice process. The Restorative Justice Alternative Program results in a quick, low-cost resolution where matters are typically settled for all concerned.
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Restorative Reentry Services
The Restorative Reentry Program helps former prisoners successfully reenter their communities and become responsible citizens. Participants are offered support in the areas of housing, job search, and education. Circles of Support and Accountability (COSAs) are provided for those who need additional help to reenter their communities safely.
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Restorative Justice Panels
People who commit certain lower-level offenses are referred to the MCJC's Restorative Justice Alternative Program (RJA) for a restorative justice process. The RJA program results in a quick, low-cost resolution where matters are typically settled for all concerned.
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Community Education and Dialogue
The MCJC provides assistance to the Montpelier community, talking about issues related to justice and conflict resolution. We provide classes that are open to the community including “Insights Into Conflict” to help people think about how they respond to conflict, the choices available to them, and the consequences of those choices. “Parenting With Respect” is a ten–session class designed specifically for fathers who have committed criminal or abusive acts which focuses on what children need from their fathers, how their acts and/or incarceration may have affected their children, and what they can do to contribute to a healing process and support their children’s healthy development. MCJC is also available to provide presentations related to conflict resolution or restorative justice specific to the needs of a particular group or organization. Our facilitators can help organize, host, or facilitate a forum that actively involves participants in dialogue and problem-solving.
Transitional Housing Program
Transitional Housing serves as short-term housing where people returning to the community from incarceration can reside for a few to several months until they find a job and residence of their own. While in transitional housing, participants also commit to the CoSA program for a minimum of one year. MCJC holds leases on two transitional housing apartments that each serve one person at a time. The program also assists sine people with finding their own residence while still incarcerated, provided they will have income upon release (the program participant signs a lease directly with the landlord).