The restorative justice approach recognizes that crime is wrong and should not occur. But in its aftermath there are both “dangers” and “opportunities.” The danger is that the community and the crime victim emerge from the experience more damaged, disrespected and feeling less safe. An offender may frequently be more alienated and less cooperative with society. The opportunity is that injustice is recognized, people are restored and future behavior is clarified so that participants are safer, more respectful and more empowered to make things right.
Our mission: To develop a safer Midtown by empowering the community to have a central voice and role in healing the harm caused by crime. To give offenders an opportunity to repair the damage caused by their actions and to assume a valued role in the community.
Primary Elements of the Program
- Midtown Community Restorative Justice Council - Council membership is comprised of representatives from the community, city and county, establishes policies and procedures and monitors overall implementation of the Project.
- Reparative Panel Contracts - MCRJ uses this model to hold offenders directly accountable to the community for their violations. Through face-to-face dialogue and creative restitution that benefits the victim or the affected neighborhood, community members work toward constructive resolution with offenders who are willing to acknowledge their wrongdoing, discuss the impact of their behavior, and make amends in a meaningful way (i.e. community service, restitution, donation, apology, self-help). Each reparative panel involves discussion of the harm and its repair, leading to a contract where all participants - including the offender - have input.
- Community involvement - As a community based and operated program, citizens are encouraged to participate in several ways: through participation on the MCRJ Council, reparative panels, training, interpreters and programming support.
Targeted Crimes
- Misdemeanors - Damage to Property (graffiti, vandalism), Soliciting Prostitution, Prostitution, Loitering with Intent to Buy/Sell Narcotics, Disorderly Conduct (public urination), Indecent Exposure, Open Bottle, Consuming in the Public, Bike Theft, Trespassing, Shoplifting, Theft, and 5th Degree Assault.
- Felony offenses - The Program accepts referrals by Probation for offenders of non-violent felonies, such as: Auto Theft, Theft over $500, Possession or Sale of Narcotics, and Burglary.
Referral Process
- Suspected offender is booked and charged with an offense by the police.
- Defendant is sent to the Program by the City Attorney’s office as a diversion to the Court system. Or…
- Defendant is referred to court.
- At hearing, defendant pleads guilty and, if appropriate, judge sentences offender to Midtown Community Restorative Justice.
- The probation staff or Program Manager decides whether case is suitable for the Program.
- If the offender fails to comply with the terms of the contract created, the offender will be referred back to court.
Criteria
- Crime is committed by an adult offender.
- Crime is committed in either Powderhorn Park or Corcoran Neighborhood or by someone who lives in the neighborhood.
- The Program only accepts non-violent crimes.
- Client must be willing to acknowledge personal responsibility for their behavior.
Accomplishments of the Project
- Since the Program’s inception 10 years ago, the Project has heard 600 cases with an 80% completion rate.
- 10% recidivism rate, meaning that once a client completes the Program, only 10% have re-offended in Hennepin County.
- Clients have donated more than $100,000 dollars to local organizations.
- Over 1500 hours of community service were completed by clients in 2005.
Volunteer Opportunities
- Reparative Panels: Meet as a group with three to five Powderhorn, Central, Phillips & Corcoran neighbors, and the offender to negotiate a contract as to how the offender will make reparation to the community. Panel members also meet with the offender to monitor progress on conditions and recommend discharge from the Program when the offender has completed the contract.
- Restorative Justice Council: Meets quartery to provide decision making, policy and direction for the overall Program.
- Programming Support: Provides general office and program support to the Restorative Justice Program.
- Interpreting services: Provides interpreting services during reparative panels. Reparative panels meet one to two times a month.
- Training: There are training opportunities throughout the year including Panel Member and Facilitator training and Speakers on various topics related to RJ and crime.
Midtown Community Restorative Justice is a collaboration between: Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis, Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association, Central Weed & Seed, CANDO, Phillips Weed & Seed, and Corcoran Neighborhood Organization.
Upcoming Events and Trainings
NOTE: You must have a signed confidentiality waiver on file at MCRJ before observing or volunteering for a panel. All panel members and facilitators must be trained. Observers are welcome to attend, but must RSVP to set up a date to observe.
Diversion Night
Diversion Night is held at 6:00 pm at Hennepin Powderhorn Partners (HPP) ~ 1201 E. Lake St. Please register with the MCRJ Coordinator to participate.
- Wednesday January 9, Wednesday January 23
- Thursday February 7, Wednesday February 20
- Wednesday March 5, Monday March 17
- Wednesday April 9, Thursday April 24
- Monday May 12, Wednesday May 28
- Thursday June 12, Tuesday June 24
- Tuesday July 15, Wednesday July 30
- Wednesday August 6, Wednesday August 27
- Tuesday September 9, Monday September 22
- Wednesday October 8, Thursday October 23
- Tuesday November 4, Monday November 17
- Thursday December 4, Wednesday December 17
Council Meetings
February 13, June 11, September 10, December 10
New Panel Member Training
Wednesday January 16,Wednesday April 16,Wednesday July 16,Wednesday October 14
Facilitator Training
Wednesday March 12, Wednesday September 17
You must be a trained Panel Member to participate in Facilitator training.
For more information or to RSVP for Diversion Night or Training, please contact Cyndi Butler at 612-543-2232 or cyndi@ppna.org.
