PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The Aroostook County Action Program and University of Maine at Presque Isle are hosting a “Restorative Justice: Focus Aroostook” workshop from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 12 at the UMPI campus center.
Restorative justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior, and one of its foundational principles is that the people affected by the crime should be able to participate in its resolution.
Professor Lisa Leduc’s UMPI fall 2018 Restorative Justice class is collaborating with ACAP’s County Restorative Practices program to bring guest speakers from around the state to participate in the workshop.
According to the organizers, programs in restorative justice are often used in response to juvenile crime as a court diversion program designed to help youth understand the impact of their actions. The use of restorative justice/practices helps to: reduce crime, violence and bullying, improve human behavior, strengthen civil society, provide effective leadership, restore relationships, and repair harm.
Workshop speakers will address restorative restorative justice from the perspectives of a restorative justice practitioner, law enforcement, education and youth. The speakers also will sit for a panel discussion for the audience to ask questions about restorative justice and related matters.
“Restorative Justice: Focus Aroostook” is a free event and lunch will be provided, but space is limited. It is suitable for students and professionals in the fields of criminal justice, behavior sciences, social work, and education. To register, visit www.bit.ly/restorativejusticefocusaroostook. For more information, contact, Jesse Pettengill, project director, at 316-7868, or Stacy Martin restorative justice facilitator at 231-1149.
ACAP’s County Restorative Practices, with grant funding from the Maine Department of Corrections, has operated a court diversion restorative justice program in Aroostook County since April of 2017, and has begun work with local school districts to address culture problems, and school discipline issues.
For more information on ACAP, or to make a tax-deductible contribution, please contact the agency at 771 Main Street, on the web at www.acap-me.org, or by calling 764-3721.
