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Restorative Justice Program

The Restorative Justice (RJ) program will provide access to restorative practices and tools for employees to prevent or respond to harm in the Mt. SAC community.  The Restorative Justice program is based on the principles and practices of RJ.  As a part of the RJ program, employees (applied or nominated) to be an RJ facilitator, were selected to facilitate the restorative practices that include community building circles, peace conferencing, and re-entry conferences or circles. Each RJ facilitator is trained in RJ and has a unique skillset including their diverse backgrounds, education, professional and personal experiences, and employee group.

What is Restorative Justice? 

Restorative Justice is a practice that prevents or responds to harm in a community. In Restorative Justice terminology, "harm" is described as a violation of relationships, ranging from personal to professional to community relationships. The emphasis of restorative practices is on healing, social support, and active accountability.  There are a variety of practices, and the most frequently used are "Circles." Restorative practices, many rooted in indigenous and religious traditions, are utilized to prevent harm by building relationships & strengthening communities, responding to harm, and supporting individuals through re-entry.

How is RJ applied in the workplace?

The RJ process will examine the harmful impact of conflict(s) in the workplace and/or academic setting and what can be done to repair it while holding the person(s) who caused the harm accountable for their actions. Accountability for the offender means accepting responsibility and acting to repair the harm done. Outcomes seek to repair the harm and address the reasons for the offense while reducing the likelihood of re-offense. Rather than focusing on the punishment meted out, restorative justice measures result in how successfully the harm is repaired.

Restorative Justice Circle

Restorative Practices

Restorative practices include community circles and conferences designed to give employees an opportunity to connect with one another and gain a greater understanding of community needs.

    • Team and Community Building (Prevention/Relation)  

      Team and Community Building (Prevention/Relation) promotes restorative conversations to address concerns within communities or work groups. The goal is to build a supportive, intentional, and equitable community .

    • Restorative Accountability Processes (Intervention/Repair)

      Restorative Processes (Intervention/Repair) respond to concerns and conflict in the form of conversational circles, restorative mediation, or group conferencing to respond to concerns in a restorative manner. This process addresses the root causes of the concerns, includes all impacted parties or groups, supports meaningful accountability for individuals of concern, and promotes healing for concerns individuals, those of concern, and the larger community.

    • Re-Entry Support Circles (Individualized/Re-Integrate)

      Re-Entry Support Circles (Individualized/Re-Integrate) support successful re-entry of employees due to periods of absences. The goal is to welcome members back to the campus community in a manner that provides structured support, and promotes teamwork and achievement for employees to ensure they are a successful and contributing member of their workplace.  

 

 

Restorative Justice Volunteer Facilitators

RJ Volunteer Facilitators (Facilitators) 

In January 2024, the Restorative Justice program welcomed fifteen employees as Restorative Justice Volunteer Facilitators (Facilitators).   
    • About

      Our Facilitators are employees selected from a talented and diverse applicant and nominee pool, who are trained to facilitate the restorative dialogue in circles or conferences.  Each Facilitator brings a unique skillset, background, and varying lengths of employment with the College.  Our Facilitators are motivated and dedicated employees here to support their peers by establishing and strengthening a community amongst employees and navigating conflict with restorative principles. 

    • BIOs
      Coming Soon!
    • Training

      Our RJ Team was certified as RJ facilitators, under the University of San Diego, Center for Restorative Justice training, in January 2024. 

    • What are the Roles and Responsibilities of a Facilitator?
      Roles & Responsibilities 
    • Interest Form

      If you believe you have the ability and willingness to facilitate restorative conversations (e.g. conversational social circles and conferences), please complete the Restorative Justice Volunteer Facilitator Interest Form.  Your name will be placed on a waiting list in the interim.

      Time Commitment

      Facilitators must be available for up to 60 hours per calendar year.  The 60 hours will include at least 24 hours of training and participating in ongoing RJ Team meetings.  Becoming a facilitator is completely voluntary.

 

RJ circle

 Restorative Justice Requests and Referrals

Submit a Request or Referral
    • RJ Workshops and Employee Circles 

      Our RJ Team will host ongoing workshops and employee community circles, starting Fall 2024 semester.

      Submit your RJ request or referral here.

    • Bring RJ to your division or department

      Request an RJ workshop or community building circle for your division/department. Submit your RJ request or referral here.

    • Events

      Intro to RJ Workshop          (1.5 Hours:  June 5, 2025 or June 17, 2025)

      Open Employee Circles

      Join us for an Open Employee Circle where we connect and build community with one another.

      Reimagining Campus Community
       with Restorative Practices      (2-Day Training: July 16, 2025 and July 17, 2025: 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM)

    • Past Events

      Intro to RJ Workshop (November 13, 2024)   (May 13, 2025)

      Training of Trainers: IIRP (April 14, 15, 16, 2025)

      Reimagining Campus Community with Restorative Practices (IIRP)                          (January 21, 22, 23, 2025)

      Classified Professional Development Day (August 16, 2024)

      Employee Community-Building Circle, April 16, 2024

      Employee Community-Building Circle, April 11, 2024

      USD Restorative Justice Training: January 10 - 11, 2024

For more information contact Nerissa Uiagalelei, Special Project Manager, Restorative Justice Program, HR Investigations and ADA Accommodations, at (909) 274-4414 or restorativejustice@mtsac.edu