The process of Restorative Justice
can provide a profound value to all affected by crime and conflict in
its ability to collectively assess harm, determine how to make right,
and further, to create conditions where meaning and healing can often
occur. As a result, it provides a root-cause process that mitigates
cycles of violence and re-offense. |
Dear Supporter,
State Representative Pete Lee has just shared a huge victory with
advocates and constituents in Colorado with the passage of House Bill
13-1254, The Restorative Justice Pilot Project. This bill, to become
law as soon as the Governor signs it, is only the second of its kind in
Colorado and represents a significant jump in Restorative processes and
practices becoming possible for post-offense cases.
The Peace Alliance has partnered with Rep. Lee and on-the-ground
representatives from organizations and Law Enforcement officials to
mobilize support for Restorative Justice, and is continuing to build a
statewide coalition to raise awareness, advocacy, and education. We are
particularly pleased as this is our first ever state-based advocacy campaign (we have traditionally only worked in support of federal legislation).
We’d love to see its success become a national model for a more healing oriented approach of doing justice in America.
The bill originated in the past year on the tails of the steadily
growing efforts to bring to forefront the success rates, cost savings,
and stakeholder satisfaction that Restorative Justice provide—in this
case within the juvenile system.
This new law will initiate an RJ fund via a $10 surcharge on offender
fees. These dollars will help seed new pilot projects and develop
research and evidence on the value of restorative justice. The money
will also support a position for a state RJ Coordinator that supports
the State RJ Council and RJ programs around the state.
And as Longmont Community Justice Partnership Executive Director Deb
Witzel says, “Perhaps most importantly the new law will provide the
opportunity to almost all juveniles referred to the justice system.”
THIS THURSDAY HEAR FROM REP. LEE HOW IT ALL HAPPENED AND WHAT IS NEXT PLUS HOW OTHER STATES CAN FOLLOW
Join us this Thursday, May 16th, at 4:30pmPST/7:30pmEST, as we engage
Rep. Lee in live dialogue about the bill, its implications, what’s
next, and how your state can do the same or build on what it already has
done to advocate legislative process of Restorative justice.
National Call: Thursday, May 16th 4:30pmPST/7:30EST
 Honored Guest Colorado Rep. Pete Lee
The Restorative Justice Pilot Project: From House Bill 13-1254 to passage into Law--How it happened and what is next.
SIGN UP HERE
Colorado Representative Pete Lee (House District 18) has championed
Restorative justice in Colorado and was co-sponsor of HB 13-1254. He
also was key in the passage of the first Restorative justice bill two
years ago and serves as an adviser to many State councils and
organizations in the field.
Rep. Lee has been a public servant in the truest sense for a good portion of his life and is also an attorney. More about Rep. Lee
More about Restorative Justice:
Restorative justice (also sometimes called reparative justice) is an
approach to justice that focuses on the needs of the victims and the
offenders, as well as the involved community, instead of satisfying
abstract legal principles or punishing the offender. Victims take an
active role in the process if they choose to do so, while offenders are
encouraged to take responsibility for their actions, "to repair the
harm they've done—by apologizing, returning stolen money, or community
service". Restorative justice involves both victim and offender as
well as community and focuses on their needs. In addition, it provides
help for the offender in order to avoid future offences. It is based on a
theory of justice that considers crime and wrongdoing to be an offence
against an individual or community, rather than the state.
Restorative justice that fosters dialogue between victim and offender
shows the highest rates of victim satisfaction and offender
accountability.
Sincerely,
Bob Baskin
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