Restorative Justice: Opportunities and Obstacles (In-Person Program)

*This is an in-person program.*

A faculty of legislators, prosecutors, judges and probation officials will focus on one of the major tools given to prosecutors and judges in the CJRL, namely the use of Restorative Justice (RJ) as a final disposition in many types of cases involving violations of the criminal law. This four-hour, in-person program will include a keynote address by Chief Justice Kimberly Budd and will feature panel discussions and breakout sessions. The program will explore how G.L. c. 276B opens a door to a more informed, evidence-based approach to many types of criminal law violations by both juveniles and adults that is more victim-centered, more focused on the safety, security, and well-being of the community, and more likely to reduce recidivism than the traditional approach. In this program you will also learn how RJ principles can be successfully used in civil cases.

Panel Discussion #1: Restorative Justice – A Conversation about the Opportunity Going Forward

Moderated by: Superior Court Judge Peter B. Krupp

Panelists to include:

Senator James B. Eldridge
U.S. District Court Judge Leo T. Sorokin
Edward Dolan, Commissioner of Probation
David E. Sullivan, Northwestern District Attorney

Panel Discussion #2: Experiences and Stories

Moderated by: Superior Court Judge Peter B. Krupp

Panelists to include:

Dennis D. Everett, Jr., Director of Reentry, UTEC
Lieutenant Sarko Gergerian, Winthrop Police
Mswati Hanks, Youth Program Coordinator, Charlestown Coalition
Janet Connors, Community and Social Justice Activist