The purpose of the Brattleboro Restorative Reentry Program is to engage the community in repairing the relationships that are damaged by criminal behavior. The specific relationships are: between the victim and the community; between the person who has committed the crime, and the community; between the person who has committed the crime and the victim. In order to resolve the harm done, all three relationships must be addressed. The program supports the successful transition into the community and speaks to the fears and concerns of victims and the community. The project involves volunteer community members who serve on the Community Advisory Panel (CAP) or who form support groups called Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA) with individuals who are re-entering the community on conditional release (under the Department of Corrections supervision). The participation of the returning individual is voluntary. Increasing community safety, reducing recidivism, planning and supporting successful reintegration drive this program.

Who is eligible?

The Restorative Reentry Program works with individuals who have been convicted of a felony, serve at least a six month sentence, will be returning to the Brattleboro area on Conditional Release (furlough), are 18 years or older and can agree to explore and acknowledge the impact of their past behavior on family, community, victim and themselves.

How does the Program work?

A minimum of 30 and ideally 90 days before release, a Probation Officer (PO) and the Justice Center Restorative Reentry Program Coordinator meet with the incarcerated individual, referred by the Department of Corrections, to begin the intake and needs assessment process. Once the individual is accepted into the program, these three individuals develop the initial restorative reentry plan.

The intake assessment covers in detail needs and resources pertaining to livelihood, past education and future training or education goals, transportation, debt, housing and living arrangements, basic daily living skills, family, health and sobriety, social and civic connections including any spiritual affiliation.

The Restorative Reenty plan addresses:

• Barriers to reentry by linking the participant to resources to find housing, employment, transportation, mental health, substance abuse and medical services and entitlement benefits,
• Victim needs and community safety, and
• Expectations for future discussions of responsibility and accountability

Vermont Public Radio profiles the role of the Community Justice Center's Restorative Reentry Progam: http://www.vpr.net/episode/42776/

 

Volunteer with the CAP or a COSA!

"[We're here] to help articulate standards, not pass judgments."

-Ian, a COSA volunteer

 

The Community Advisory Panel (CAP)

The CAP convenes once a month, or less frequently as needed, to screen and review restorative reenty plans. In addition to the CAP members, the Probation Officer and Restorative Reentry Coordinator will attend to present and explain reentry plan. The CAP gives input, feedback, raises questions, and concerns. Vicitm or victim advocate input is strongly encouraged and sought. The goal is meaningful dialogue between community, professionals, victim or victim advocate and offender. This begins as the group and the participant engage in connecting on a human level, as fellow community members. Meaningful dialogue also requires individuals to bring their authentic, non-judgemental curiosity and active listening skills. The Probation Officer and Restorative Reentry Coordinator will provide training for CAP members and will facilitate the meetings.

Circles of Support and Accountability (COSA)

Comprised of 3 to 5 trained community volunteers, the COSA meets with participants once they have reentered the community. The goals of the COSA are to support successful reintegration, enhance community safety and hold the participant accountable for fulfilling his or her Reentry Plan. In addition, the COSA supports the participant to understand and address who has been affected by past criminal behavior and how.

Specifically, the COSA assists the participant to meet the challenges of everyday living, e.g., doing laundry, transportation, budgeting, shopping, cooking, preparing for job interviews. The COSA also works with the participant to identify triggers that might lead to reoffending and together create a Relapse Prevention Plan. Finally, the COSA helps the participant determine how to make amends to those impacted by her/his past behavoir.

If you are interested in joining the CAP or volunteering with a COSA, please email Mel atmel@brattleborocjc.org or call (802) 251-8141. She would love to talk with you about opportunities to participate in the Reentry Program. You can also check the "Events" page to learn about upcoming training opportunities.

Volunteer for Justice! The Brattleboro Community Justice Center will be offering training for new Circle of Support and Accounatbility (COSA) and mentoring volunteers 12/12 and 12/13 from 4-9 PM both evenings at the Marlboro Tech Center. The training will enable community volunteers to work with formely incarcerated people to help with successful reintegration.

For more information contact Zach at 251-8144 or vista@brattleborocjc.org