Restorative Conferencing – St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice

Conflict resolution services

A Restorative Conference brings together stakeholders around a central topic or issue. Typically, the process involves crime victims, offenders and community members to address and fulfill obligations caused by crime and conflict. The focus for restorative justice is often how it is used in schools and the criminal justice system. The key ingredients of restorative justice, Respect, Responsibility, Repair, Relationship and Reintegration, can also be used in communities, whether those communities be defined as a church, business, board of directors, neighborhood, professional organization, family or group of friends. Restorative Justice is a powerful tool in working through conflict to bring communities together and repair the relationships between them.

Options

Restorative Justice staff and facilitators are able to explain this process and options. Conferencing begins at a base fee of $150 for single parties or $300 for organizations. The fee includes separate preparatory meetings with each party and standard two-hour conference. Fees are paid by the responsible parties.

More Information

If you would like more information on restorative conferencing, or if you have questions about a specific case or situation, please call the Restorative Justice Center at 715-425-1100 or email. We accept requests from individuals, community groups, local agencies, schools and businesses for conflict resolution consulting and conferencing. We also accept court-mandated conflict resolution and conferencing requests.

This process has impacted me in a very positive way. Number one it allowed me once again an opportunity to support my daughter. As her father it is my role to develop [her] resolve and self-esteem… I was pleasantly encouraged by this process and how it stayed the course digging for truth and accountability. I do not believe society’s needs are more important than individual rights, and this process did a wonderful job of showing the human, individual side to my daughter’s careless and selfish act. This process allowed us both to see and experience how our actions effect family, friends and neighbors.

Parent Participant

Testimonial from a parent involved in a victim offender conference

The offenders were able to hear how what they did affected the victim from the victim. That is more powerful than just getting charged with the crime. My son’s comment when we got home was that he was glad that he was offered this alternative because he feels he actually learned something. It was better than just paying a fine and it is over without hearing from those that they hurt.

Parent Participant

Statement from a parent involved in a community conference

We set ourselves on a course in life hoping to achieve our dreams. Sometimes we find ourselves in a place we never thought we would. So when things go wrong, it’s nice to know we won’t be judged on our misdeeds only…

Adult Offender

Statement from an adult who participated in a victim offender conference