Rebuilding Lives. Strengthening Communities.

For example, in Oregon, Deschutes County has adopted
the concept of a “community justice corps.” 83 The idea is
to mobilize people returning home from prison as agents
of community restoration. In 1997, Oregon passed
legislation that allowed Deschutes County to supervise
juveniles—otherwise destined for state prisons—in
community programs. These youth join with other
community residents to rehabilitate housing and schools,
redesign and rebuild parks and playgrounds, and redevelop
and rebuild the physical infrastructure and social fabric
of their own neighborhood. Within one year, the program
reduced youth incarceration in state facilities by 72
percent, a national high according to the National Center
for Juvenile Justice. The youth in the program averaged
204 hours of community service compared to four hours
for incarcerated youth and their restitution rate was four
times higher than their incarcerated peers. The City
should learn from the Oregon experience and develop a
pilot community justice corps for people with criminal
records.
Through a restorative justice framework, the public is
afforded an effective and efficient means of protection;
offenders are held accountable for their actions and the
restoration of any harm suffered; the power of the community
is harnessed so that bonds are strengthened and
people feel safer; and recidivism is reduced because
offenders are also afforded meaningful opportunities to
develop skills, engage in productive activities and make a
positive contribution for a renewed sense of purpose and
belonging in society.
“Many community residents know
many people dealing with
prisoner reentry issues and can
refer them to resources in the
community. Our role should be
to facilitate discussion and
educate people to advocate for
themselves or their family
members who have been
incarcerated. Our goal should
be to look at alternatives,
besides being behind bars,
that can be implemented at
the community level.”
Valerie Leonard
North Lawndale resident and member of
North Lawndale Community Advocacy Team
INSPIRATION FROM THE FIELD:
CITIZEN CIRCLES IN OHIO
In Ohio, the Adult Parole Authority formed “Citizen Circles” to engage community residents in the
process of welcoming released prisoners back into their neighborhoods.
Prisoners are generally told about the groups before their release from prison. Residents volunteer
to serve on the circles, and prisoners volunteer to participate as well. All together, they develop a plan to
help the individual become a healthy, productive, law-abiding citizen. The Citizen Circles meet on a regular
basis to discuss the individuals’ progress, review plans, interview new applicants, admit new members
and to discharge both successful and unsuccessful participants.
As of July 2005, 18 Citizen Circles were in progress, representing all seven Adult Parole Authority
regions.
Source: McMillan, Meta, “Citizen Circles widen to help ex-offenders begin new lives in Cleveland,” City News Ohio, October 26, 2005,
http://www.citynewsohio.com/News/article/article.aspNewsID=62899&sID=4 (accessed November 17, 2005).
MAYORAL POLICY CAUCUS ON PRISONER REENTRY
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