NORTHAMPTON, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office partners with Communities for Restorative Justice, a community-based restorative justice organization, diverting certain cases out of the traditional court system and into a restorative justice program. The partnership, which began in 2020, is now expanding to Franklin County.
From the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office:
Volunteers Needed for Restorative Justice Program
NORTHAMPTON —The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office (NWDAO) partners with Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ), a community-based restorative justice organization, to divert certain cases out of the traditional court system and into a restorative justice process. This partnership has been in place since 2020 and is now expanding to include Franklin County.
The restorative justice process has resulted in positive outcomes in cases where a responsible party is willing to acknowledge harm. Through this process, victims and other impacted parties may participate in determining how harm can be addressed and repaired, including through community service, meaningful apologies, restitution, and other restorative practices. Upon successful completion of the process, the criminal case may be dismissed.
C4RJ’s work is primarily volunteer-driven, and the organization is currently seeking new volunteers interested
in restorative justice work, both online and in person, in Hampshire and Franklin Counties. Volunteers receive training to prepare them to work within restorative justice principles and the C4RJ process.
Upcoming volunteer training will consist of four Zoom sessions held on Saturday, January 25, and Sunday, January 26, with sessions running from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Individuals interested in learning more about C4RJ and what volunteering involves are encouraged to attend a one-hour Zoom information session on January 7 at 7 p.m. or visit C4RJ’s volunteer page at https://www.c4rj.org/join-us/volunteers.
Email C4RJ Director of Programs, Nathan Simms, at nsimms@c4rj.org to RSVP, receive the zoom link, or ask questions.
