Don't miss our Videos through the
Video links to the left
What We Do:
1. Referrals come from law enforcement in the form of a report describing the behavior and the parties involved including those responsible, those harmed (victims) and those witnessing the behavior. Offending youth are referred to LARJP rather than to court. In some cases the courts refer youth to LARJP as a part of their sentence.
2. Those who caused the harm (offenders) and their families are interviewed to discover their attitudes and perspectives on the behavior and if they are willing to participate in a restorative justice process with the victim or a stand-in for the victim. Both offenders and at least one adult member of their family must be willing to participate. In the initial interview process, it is determined if the offender does in fact admit guilt and ascertain if they harbor any hostile feelings or attitudes toward the victim. Any reluctance to admit responsibility or any indication of hostility toward the victim will abort the process and the offender will be referred to juvenile court. This is to assure that the victim(s) will not be re-victimized.
3. Those who were harmed (victims) are interviewed to discover the impact of the crime upon them and if they are willing to participate in a restorative process with the offender(s).
4. A conference is set up involving the offender(s) and family, the victim(s) and supporters if desired, community members, and at least one but preferably two trained facilitators (usually community volunteers). If the victims are not willing to have a face-to-face conference with the offenders, surrogate victims are recruited who understand what happened and how the victims were affected. In the conference the victims have opportunity to communicate to the offender(s) and family how the harmful behavior has impacted their lives and are able to ask the offender questions such as why he or she did what they did. The offenders are expected to explain what they did, why they did it, and what the impact has been on the lives of their own families, and themselves. It is expected that after discussion with the victim, community and members of their family, they are able to demonstrate an understanding of the impact of their actions.
5. The desired outcome of the conference is a contract signed by the offenders and all other participants. This contract isnegotiated with the offenders, their family members, and the other persons present. In it the offenders agree to make reparation for the damage they caused, and engage in specific actions that will support healthy behaviors rather than destructive ones. The contract might include monetary repayment to the victim, work for the victim or the community, counseling or involvement in self-betterment activities. The contract has a built in time line usually spanning a three to six month’s period, and is verified by volunteers or program staff.
6. If the contract is fulfilled, the process is over for the offenders and their records are cleared. If they fail to fulfill the contract, they are referred to juvenile court. The above process is voluntary for all participants. The offenders are free to opt out of the process at any point and go instead through the juvenile court system.
2. Those who caused the harm (offenders) and their families are interviewed to discover their attitudes and perspectives on the behavior and if they are willing to participate in a restorative justice process with the victim or a stand-in for the victim. Both offenders and at least one adult member of their family must be willing to participate. In the initial interview process, it is determined if the offender does in fact admit guilt and ascertain if they harbor any hostile feelings or attitudes toward the victim. Any reluctance to admit responsibility or any indication of hostility toward the victim will abort the process and the offender will be referred to juvenile court. This is to assure that the victim(s) will not be re-victimized.
3. Those who were harmed (victims) are interviewed to discover the impact of the crime upon them and if they are willing to participate in a restorative process with the offender(s).
4. A conference is set up involving the offender(s) and family, the victim(s) and supporters if desired, community members, and at least one but preferably two trained facilitators (usually community volunteers). If the victims are not willing to have a face-to-face conference with the offenders, surrogate victims are recruited who understand what happened and how the victims were affected. In the conference the victims have opportunity to communicate to the offender(s) and family how the harmful behavior has impacted their lives and are able to ask the offender questions such as why he or she did what they did. The offenders are expected to explain what they did, why they did it, and what the impact has been on the lives of their own families, and themselves. It is expected that after discussion with the victim, community and members of their family, they are able to demonstrate an understanding of the impact of their actions.
5. The desired outcome of the conference is a contract signed by the offenders and all other participants. This contract isnegotiated with the offenders, their family members, and the other persons present. In it the offenders agree to make reparation for the damage they caused, and engage in specific actions that will support healthy behaviors rather than destructive ones. The contract might include monetary repayment to the victim, work for the victim or the community, counseling or involvement in self-betterment activities. The contract has a built in time line usually spanning a three to six month’s period, and is verified by volunteers or program staff.
6. If the contract is fulfilled, the process is over for the offenders and their records are cleared. If they fail to fulfill the contract, they are referred to juvenile court. The above process is voluntary for all participants. The offenders are free to opt out of the process at any point and go instead through the juvenile court system.
