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What is Restorative Justice?
Restorative Justice is a process that engages the juvenile justice system and those persons who
have a stake in a specific offense (victims and offenders), to the extent possible, to collectively
identify and address "harms" that resulted from the offense, the needs and obligations of stakeholders,
in order to make things right and restore person to the community. Restorative Justice goals include:
- Identifying and addressing the needs of crime victims.
- Holding the offender accountable and repairing the harm (restitution)
- Deducing re-offenses by increasing offenders sensitivity to the consequences for themselves and others.
- Protecting the safety of crime victims and the Community.
Approximately one-third of the juvenile courts in Missouri incorporate some restorative principles
into their practices. Restorative programs are very successful in reducing recidivism rates
(re-offenses). Victims are much more satisfied participating in a restorative justice process,
in part because offenders who engage in a restorative justice program are very likely to honor
the restitution arrangements they make with their victims (90 to 95% compliance in Clay County).
Victims find the process fair, and appreciate having an opportunity to explain the impact of the
crime to the offender.
The RESPECT Program
RESPECT has been in operation since 1997. Crime victims are assisting in making impact
statements that are forwarded to the juvenile officer working with the offender. Several
services are offered to crime victims to get answers to questions they have about the offense
and to seek restitution. When a juvenile offender is willing to take responsibility for the
offense, the youth and parents or guardians complete an orientation session about the Respect
program. A juvenile offender may then be referred for further screening and a possible meeting
with the victim to discuss the harm and how to make things right. These sessions are conducted
in safe settings monitored by trained mediators. Restitution arrangements are monitored until
completed. RESPECT is funded by a grant from the Missouri Division of Youth Services and the
Seventh Circuit Office of Dispute Resolution Services. Mediation service are provided by the
Community Mediation Center. For more information, contact Kathleen Bird, ODRS Director at
(816) 736-8400 or
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