History of Concord and Carlisle Restorative Circles; From CRC to C4RJ

   In 1999, Concord Police Chief Leonard Wetherbee initiated discussions with community members about implementing a    restorative justice program in Concord. His experience had been that the needs and feelings of victims could be better    addressed. The chief also wanted an option for dealing with young law-breakers, one that would encourage them to take    responsibility and to make reparation for the harm they had caused.

   Long-time community activists Jean Bell and Joan Turner offered to help organize a joint venture with the police to achieve    this vision. With the help of community members, a program was designed that brought together volunteers, victims, and    offenders. They chose an inclusive "circle format" because they believed it would best convey the message that every    person's voice had equal value. All group members share the responsibility of addressing the harm that was caused and    creating restorative agreement. Volunteer mentors work with the youth to complete this agreement.

   
(L to R Chief Leonard Wetherbee, Jean Bell, Betsy Maloney, Joan Turner, Barbara Chase)

   The Concord Restorative Circle came into being in 2000. Twenty community members volunteered to take part in this    model participated in 18 hours of training, This initial training, was organized by Carolyn Boyes-Watson, founder of the    Center for Restorative Justice at Suffolk University, and Lucinda Brown, Community Coordinator for the Greenfield    District Court. In December of that year, Chief Wetherbee referred the first case to the Concord Restorative Circle.

   Today, volunteers trained in restorative principels work with those who have been harmed and youth who have done the    harm, until the terms of the agrrements have been fulfilled. Then all meet in a closing circle to hear about the completed    agreement and leasons learned.

   The Concord Restorative Circle (CRC) had 20 cases involving offenses of vandalism, a bomb threat, shoplifting, misuse of    a credit card, a drive-by shooting with a cap gun, trespassing in the middle of the night, computer theft, and underage    possession of alcohol in it's first 6 years of operation. More than 203 people from our community were involved, including    youth, residents, offenders, parents, business owners, public officials, homeowners, therapists, social workers, and    volunteers.

   The reparative agreements reached by the Circle participants have included: payment of restitution, letters of apology,    written reflections on the harm caused and what was learned through the Circle experience, community service, and    creating ways to communicate to others the lessons learned.

   Circles involving substance abuse (alcohol or marijuana) follow a somewhat different process. Each youth has a separate    "Circle" to protect privacy and confidentiality. Prior to the "Circle" each youth must have an assessment done by a    substance abuse counselor. Information form this assessment allow that substance abuse counselor to make    recommendations for the agreement in the Circle. Examples of agreement items may include: attendance at AA meetings,    participation in educational programs regarding alcohol and other drug use. Or further counseling.

   In 2002, the neighboring town of Carlisle established its own restorative circle with guidance and training from Concord    volunteers. The Carlisle Police Chief, also is in full support of this model.

   In 2005 a number of events moved the CRC forward;

   • A restorative justice consultant from the UK provided training for Concord police and met with CRC volunteers to      evaluate the CRC program. He also created a report summarizing his observations of our organization, including      recommendations for future growth.
   • The Concord Chief of Police articulated his interest in assisting other towns who had expressed interest in the Concord      and Carlisle model
   • The original founders expressed their wish to open up their leadership roles to other volunteers.

   It became clear that this "grassroots organization" needed to move to a more formalized structure with an executive director    and a Board of Directors. Experienced volunteers from Concord and Carlisle, under the leadership of Barbara Chase,    rallied to address the challenge of this larger vision, reconstituted as Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ). A board    of directors was elected, and an agreement was signed with Third Sector New England to be the fiscal sponsor. After a    thorough search process, Betsy Maloney was hired as executive director. She brings extensive training in restorative justice    practices as well as experience with the Concord and Carlisle Circles since their inception.

   Currently, C4RJ has 60 volunteers who have worked with 47 victims harmed. Our volunteers have also worked with over    80 youth and their families. These mentors provide youth guidance and support as they go through the restorative justice    process and increase their empathy and understanding of harm done.

   Today, Communities for Restorative Justice is proud of the caliber and commitment of its volunteers and the progress that    C4RJ has achieved. We are preparing ourselves to share our experience with other interested communities.