BRATTLEBORO — The Brattleboro Community Justice Center (BCJC) will hold a restorative justice training session on April 23 and 24, from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Attendance at both sessions required.
In this training, participants will learn about the principles of Restorative Justice and the practice of it, as delivered by the panels. Participants will also practice communication skills, review a case study and role play reparative panel sessions.
Members of reparative panels work with individuals who have been referred by the court and who have been convicted of non-violent crimes. Panelists engage with offenders to help them think about and address the affects of their crime and discuss ways in which amends can be made.
A Reparative Panel is a group of four or five trained volunteers who meet with an offender, and victims when possible, once a month for four months. During this period, the board works with the offender to develop and oversee the completion of mutually agreed upon activities with the goals of taking responsibility and making amends. The program also provides a safe environment for victims and affected parties to share how they have been affected by a crime.
Volunteering on a reparative panel is an opportunity for citizens to work together to address conflict in their communities in a restorative way - for offenders, victims, families, and the community in general.
Preparation for the training is highly recommended and involves observing current panels. RSVP by March 31 by contacting Jackie Trepanier at 802-251-8141 or jackie@brattleborocjc.org.