The CJC's Restorative Justice Panels are small groups of Community Volunteers who meet with offenders and victims of low-level crimes.

The Panel holds the offender directly accountable to the victims and community they harmed. They discuss the circumstances and impact of the crime and ways the offender can avoid making similar mistakes in the future.

Cases are referred to the Community Justice Center's Restorative Justice Panels two ways:

1. Alternative Justice - direct referrals come from the Burlington Police Department. This alternative justice process takes the place of the traditional criminal justice process (prosecution, conviction, etc...)
2. Reparative Probation - referrals come from a signed order by a judge as part of an Offender's sentence and jointly supervised by the Department of Corrections Court and Reparative Service Unit.

A way for victims to be involved

An attempt is made to contact the Victim in every case the Restorative Justice panels see. A Victim Liaison Volunteer explains the process, supports the Victim's participation and assists with necessary referrals. Some Victims chose to attend their Offender's meeting while others ask their Liaison to go in their place. The meeting is an opportunity for the Victim to share his or her experience, and ask questions of the Offender. The Liaison keeps the Victim informed of progress throughout the case.

The Process

The Panel, the Victim and the Offender decide together how the Offender will apologize and repair the harm they caused.

The reparations should relate to the crime and improve the community. Many people write letters of apology, do community service, repair damaged property or pay back money. Additionally, other people do something they are good at or like to do. For example: a musician held a fundraiser for a non-profit daycare center, another woman made potpourri vases for a local senior citizens center and a computer programmer helped the Community Justice Center improve its database.

Once the group has agreed on the reparations, a Restorative Justice Agreement is filled out and signed by all. The Offender has 45 days to complete his or her commitments. The full group comes back together a few more times to review progress, solve any problems and celebrate successful completion.

The Burlington Community Justice Center currently has four Panels that meet with adult offenders and one Panel that meets with youth offenders each week. Panel Members are volunteers who make a two-hour weekly commitment for at least a year. They receive training and support from the Department of Corrections and the Community Justice Center. People of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to join these caring, dedicated teams.

The Burlington Community Justice Center sees an average of 300 cases a year.

For more information, contact Jocelyn Dubuque at 865-7589

jdubuque@ci.burlington.vt.us