Restorative Approaches to Policing Institute
October 6th – 8th, 2021
For biographies of the presenters, go here.
Circle:
An opportunity to experience a restorative circle process and to meet others doing work at the intersection of restorative practices and policing. Circle questions will guide participants in further processing and integrating the contributions of panel presenters.
Workshops:
Katie Sandson and Raymond Wilkes, “Restorative Justice Responses to Historical Injustices in Policing” (Friday, Oct. 8th @ 12PM EST):
In this workshop, we will discuss how members of law enforcement can use restorative justice principles to engage with, and respond to, historical injustices and incidents of racial violence involving police. We will view examples of efforts by law enforcement departments across the country to address historical incidents that have occurred in their departments, and we will use hypothetical case studies to think creatively about restorative steps that can be taken today to address historical harms.
Dr. Micah Johnson, “Understanding Trauma, Race and Substance Misuse in the Juvenile Justice System” (Friday, Oct. 8th @ 2PM EST):
This two-hour workshop will examine the impact of trauma, race, and substance misuse in youth with criminal justice contact. Participants will learn the benefit of using restorative conversations to help advocate, educate, and empower youth in the Juvenile Justice System and the community. Participants will explore critical factors to be aware of when engaging youth prior, during, and after having police contact. Participants will understand:
- How unresolved trauma (racialized trauma) displays itself in our youth.
- How to use a restorative assessment for engagement.
- Actionable steps to interrupt the trajectory of harm.
Dr. Micah Johnson will share a case study for participants to use as they learn to assess, educate, and empower youth in the juvenile justice system. This workshop is based on years of research experience and working directly with youth, police, and community members. This will be an interactive session which will allow participants to ask questions and receive feedback.
This workshop is appropriate for community activists, officers, and restorative justice practitioners.
Kathleen McGoey and Staci Stallings, “Implementation Basics of Restorative Justice Diversion by Police Referral” (Friday, Oct. 8th @ 4PM EST):
This two-hour workshop will build on McGoey and Stallings’ Wednesday, Oct. 6th panel presentation, “The Role of Restorative Justice in Policing,” to provide more information about the basics of implementing community restorative justice in partnership with police. Participants will learn about the 3 phases that allow police to refer cases involving pending criminal charges directly to a local community restorative justice program:
- Referring a Case to Restorative Justice
- Tracking Cases & Evaluating Efficacy
- Officer Participation in Restorative Justice
The trainers will speak primarily from their experience in Longmont, CO, where police referrals of youth and adults to restorative justice have resulted in a 3.5% recidivism rate within the city. Their expertise includes insight from current programmatic developments in other cities nationwide. Time will be allotted for participants’ questions and discussion of action steps. This workshop is appropriate for law enforcement officers and community restorative justice practitioners.
Restorative Policing 