What is Restorative Justice? Where did it come from, and how is it used? First, we hear about a formal process - how the Restorative Justice program was implemented in Estes Park, CO, through the police department. Bill Gerritz and his wife were facilitators for several years. Bill shares the legal process, how negotiations happen, what the consequences are, the reconciliation process, and expectations. Next, he opens up and shares some stories about how justice was better served, how lives were changed, issues were resolved, and discusses the many benefits for the community.
In the second section, Irene Morgan and Debbie David share their experiences and discuss the history from different cultural perspectives. They share how Restorative Circles and principles of restorative healing can be used community-wide in crisis and conflict situations, intense street situations, and most importantly, in the courtroom and across the community.
The Coalition members have developed programs as we learn from Indigenous wisdom, cultures, and practices. Called by different names, the goal is the same – forgiveness and accountability in the space of compassionate justice. Listeners will discover that the goal is to restore people to wholeness as fast as possible. The process often involves forgiveness even as it heals the hurts that come when people recognize, take responsibility for, and compensate for harms caused. It is critical in the process to recover dignity, discover the impacts and ripple effects, and then work together to find just solutions.
