May 18, 2022
Session 1: 10:45am-12:15pm
1 A (Part 1 of 2) - Transformative Justice Initiative: Empowering Credible Messengers and Victims and Survivors for Transformation
Sterling Cunio, Professor Melissa Michaux, Jermey Hays, Karuna Thompson, Anthony Pickens - Transformative Justice Initiative, Willamette University, Oregon Department of Corrections
The Transformative Justice Initiative (TJI) at Willamette University is a coalition of currently and formerly incarcerated people, academics, community stakeholders, crime survivors and system agents working to create a paradigm shift in the Oregon criminal legal system using a multidirectional strategy and response model. TJI will present an overview of its history, objectives and initiatives as an evolution of Restorative Justice. Two initiatives will be featured: 1) The OSP Restorative Justice Group designed to heal, develop and support a community of credible messengers doing redemptive work as agents of change and; 2) Victims and Survivors for Transformation (VAST), a group of people who have experienced serious harms and are devoted to developing a system of care providing for the full spectrum of harm with emphasis on individual voice and creative expression. The TJI overview and the Oregon State Penitentiary Restorative Justice Group are featured in session 1. (This is Part 1 of 2 in this series)
1 A (Part 1 of 2) - Transformative Justice Initiative: Empowering Credible Messengers and Victims and Survivors for Transformation
Sterling Cunio, Professor Melissa Michaux, Jermey Hays, Karuna Thompson, Anthony Pickens - Transformative Justice Initiative, Willamette University, Oregon Department of Corrections
The Transformative Justice Initiative (TJI) at Willamette University is a coalition of currently and formerly incarcerated people, academics, community stakeholders, crime survivors and system agents working to create a paradigm shift in the Oregon criminal legal system using a multidirectional strategy and response model. TJI will present an overview of its history, objectives and initiatives as an evolution of Restorative Justice. Two initiatives will be featured: 1) The OSP Restorative Justice Group designed to heal, develop and support a community of credible messengers doing redemptive work as agents of change and; 2) Victims and Survivors for Transformation (VAST), a group of people who have experienced serious harms and are devoted to developing a system of care providing for the full spectrum of harm with emphasis on individual voice and creative expression. The TJI overview and the Oregon State Penitentiary Restorative Justice Group are featured in session 1. (This is Part 1 of 2 in this series)
1 B - Restorative Justice Facilitated Dialogue Pilot in Thurston County Drug Court: A Process Evaluation
Elizabeth Drake, Jody Suhrbier, Steve Tilley, Wayne Graham - Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County, Thurston County Prosecutor's Office
The Thurston County Superior Court established a partnership with the Dispute Resolution Center to develop a Restorative Justice Facilitated Dialogue (RJFD) pilot program for drug court participants. The presenter of this workshop compares this model with the most rigorous research evidence on restorative justice dialogue models delivered in the criminal justice setting to examine RJFD program fidelity. Two essential tools will be discussed: A logic model of operations and program theory of change to guide program implementation.
Elizabeth Drake, Jody Suhrbier, Steve Tilley, Wayne Graham - Dispute Resolution Center of Thurston County, Thurston County Prosecutor's Office
The Thurston County Superior Court established a partnership with the Dispute Resolution Center to develop a Restorative Justice Facilitated Dialogue (RJFD) pilot program for drug court participants. The presenter of this workshop compares this model with the most rigorous research evidence on restorative justice dialogue models delivered in the criminal justice setting to examine RJFD program fidelity. Two essential tools will be discussed: A logic model of operations and program theory of change to guide program implementation.
1 C - Who's Driving the RJ Bus? Race, Privilege and Equity in the RJ Movement
Matthew Hartman, Aaron Lyons, Alison Allen Hall - Just Outcomes
Join us in exploring key lessons on race privilege and equity emerging from RJ movement-building efforts in Oregon. This workshop will offer a critical examination of the three-year Transforming Justice in Oregon project: what assumptions were made going into the project, how these assumptions shaped a theory of change which privileged whiteness, how the project adapted, and what lessons may be gained. Together we will explore issues of inequity in the current RJ movement, restorative justice standards from an equity lens, and the value of “speedbumps” in our collective movement-building work. This workshop will invite participants into reflective discussions to examine these issues in their own context and to envision together the potential of a movement more fully infused by the restorative values we espouse together.
Matthew Hartman, Aaron Lyons, Alison Allen Hall - Just Outcomes
Join us in exploring key lessons on race privilege and equity emerging from RJ movement-building efforts in Oregon. This workshop will offer a critical examination of the three-year Transforming Justice in Oregon project: what assumptions were made going into the project, how these assumptions shaped a theory of change which privileged whiteness, how the project adapted, and what lessons may be gained. Together we will explore issues of inequity in the current RJ movement, restorative justice standards from an equity lens, and the value of “speedbumps” in our collective movement-building work. This workshop will invite participants into reflective discussions to examine these issues in their own context and to envision together the potential of a movement more fully infused by the restorative values we espouse together.
1 D - Conflict in Community: Practicing Restorative Justice in Housing Cooperatives
Sophia Solano - Center for Dialogue and Resolution (CDR - Lane County OR)
This workshop will investigate housing communities as microcosms of our larger society discussing methods of conflict engagement within self-governing housing cooperatives. Participants will reflect on power and privilege dynamics of established communities considering context-specific benefits and challenges to Restorative Justice efforts. The intersection of Restorative Justice and Housing Justice will also be explored.
Sophia Solano - Center for Dialogue and Resolution (CDR - Lane County OR)
This workshop will investigate housing communities as microcosms of our larger society discussing methods of conflict engagement within self-governing housing cooperatives. Participants will reflect on power and privilege dynamics of established communities considering context-specific benefits and challenges to Restorative Justice efforts. The intersection of Restorative Justice and Housing Justice will also be explored.
Session 2: 1:15pm-2:45pm
2 A (Part 2 of 2) - Transformative Justice Initiative: Empowering Credible Messengers and Victims and Survivors for Transformation
Sterling Cunio, Professor Melissa Michaux, Jermey Hays, Karuna Thompson, Anthony Pickens - Transformative Justice Initiative, Willamette University, Oregon Department of Corrections
In this workshop VAST will discuss the diversity of interests and needs of people who are survivors of crime. We will explore alternative interventions not yet offered in the current approach to victim services, and/or offered in a limited capacity and how to expand transformative support services to those interested in this justice model. During this session professionals and community members attending the workshop will be invited to discuss and develop one real action item to be implemented in their work to offer survivors transformative relief and services. (This is Part 2 of 2 in this series)
2 B - Just Language: Disrupting Harmful Linguistic Patterns in Professional Settings
Amanda Filloy and Matthew King - Corvallis School District 509J
Language shapes the way we think, writes linguist Benjamin Lee Whorf, and determines what we can think about. While restorative justice requires belief in the full humanity of all, social structures that should be just often rely on language that reduces the disempowered. The use, acceptance, and standardization of such language plays a significant role in unobtrusively maintaining existing power divides. This interactive presentation will promote ways to analyze and disrupt harmful linguistic patterns found in both public and private professional settings. Our focus goes beyond trends in terminology to critically examine more subtle, high-frequency language patterns.
2 C - Building a Restorative Justice Alternative to Prosecution in Adult Felony Cases
Rhea DuMont, Morgan Moore, Erica Washington, Tristen Edwards, Jenna Kress, Stephen Fowler - Multnomah County System, Insight Alliance, Impact Justice
Research demonstrates that healing from trauma requires us to restore a sense of safety and power to our nervous system at the individual and community level through somatic practice. We know that punitive systems create environments that inherently dysregulate the nervous systems of those who engage with them, thus perpetuating trauma. Restorative Justice creates the optimal container for us to support healing from trauma. In order to break cycles of trauma, the criminal legal system needs to divest energy from carceral/retributive/punitive paradigms and instead invest in restorative justice. Come learn how Multnomah County is invested in transforming a historically oppressive system into one that is restorative, transformative, and rooted in community wisdom. Through a unique partnership with the District Attorney’s Office, Defense partners, Impact Justice, the Insight Alliance, and community leaders we are developing and implementing a restorative justice alternative to prosecution of transitional age youth (18-24) arrested for specific felony offenses. This session will explore the power and possibility of restorative justice responses to improve stakeholder satisfaction with the justice system while increasing victim/survivor satisfaction, improving outcomes for those who cause harm, and building a stronger, resilient community. The session will draw on both national and global data, as well as lessons learned from design and implementation.
2 D - Restore Our Humanity: Utilizing Talking Circles for Racial Healing
Pamela A. Taylor - The Circle Works
Racism is a social problem that continues to plague us. Some excuses given for refusing to talk about it are people either don’t know how to or they feel afraid, ashamed or guilty. To be healed from racism we must confront it head-on. This session will utilize the circle process for a conversation to effect racial healing and learn how to utilize this process. Racial healing has been described as any process of healing from the cumulative effects of racism most likely caused by miseducation.
2 A (Part 2 of 2) - Transformative Justice Initiative: Empowering Credible Messengers and Victims and Survivors for Transformation
Sterling Cunio, Professor Melissa Michaux, Jermey Hays, Karuna Thompson, Anthony Pickens - Transformative Justice Initiative, Willamette University, Oregon Department of Corrections
In this workshop VAST will discuss the diversity of interests and needs of people who are survivors of crime. We will explore alternative interventions not yet offered in the current approach to victim services, and/or offered in a limited capacity and how to expand transformative support services to those interested in this justice model. During this session professionals and community members attending the workshop will be invited to discuss and develop one real action item to be implemented in their work to offer survivors transformative relief and services. (This is Part 2 of 2 in this series)
2 B - Just Language: Disrupting Harmful Linguistic Patterns in Professional Settings
Amanda Filloy and Matthew King - Corvallis School District 509J
Language shapes the way we think, writes linguist Benjamin Lee Whorf, and determines what we can think about. While restorative justice requires belief in the full humanity of all, social structures that should be just often rely on language that reduces the disempowered. The use, acceptance, and standardization of such language plays a significant role in unobtrusively maintaining existing power divides. This interactive presentation will promote ways to analyze and disrupt harmful linguistic patterns found in both public and private professional settings. Our focus goes beyond trends in terminology to critically examine more subtle, high-frequency language patterns.
2 C - Building a Restorative Justice Alternative to Prosecution in Adult Felony Cases
Rhea DuMont, Morgan Moore, Erica Washington, Tristen Edwards, Jenna Kress, Stephen Fowler - Multnomah County System, Insight Alliance, Impact Justice
Research demonstrates that healing from trauma requires us to restore a sense of safety and power to our nervous system at the individual and community level through somatic practice. We know that punitive systems create environments that inherently dysregulate the nervous systems of those who engage with them, thus perpetuating trauma. Restorative Justice creates the optimal container for us to support healing from trauma. In order to break cycles of trauma, the criminal legal system needs to divest energy from carceral/retributive/punitive paradigms and instead invest in restorative justice. Come learn how Multnomah County is invested in transforming a historically oppressive system into one that is restorative, transformative, and rooted in community wisdom. Through a unique partnership with the District Attorney’s Office, Defense partners, Impact Justice, the Insight Alliance, and community leaders we are developing and implementing a restorative justice alternative to prosecution of transitional age youth (18-24) arrested for specific felony offenses. This session will explore the power and possibility of restorative justice responses to improve stakeholder satisfaction with the justice system while increasing victim/survivor satisfaction, improving outcomes for those who cause harm, and building a stronger, resilient community. The session will draw on both national and global data, as well as lessons learned from design and implementation.
2 D - Restore Our Humanity: Utilizing Talking Circles for Racial Healing
Pamela A. Taylor - The Circle Works
Racism is a social problem that continues to plague us. Some excuses given for refusing to talk about it are people either don’t know how to or they feel afraid, ashamed or guilty. To be healed from racism we must confront it head-on. This session will utilize the circle process for a conversation to effect racial healing and learn how to utilize this process. Racial healing has been described as any process of healing from the cumulative effects of racism most likely caused by miseducation.
Session 3: 3:00pm-4:30pm
3 A - Permission to Play
KeriAnn Rumrey & Tim Rasmussen - Resolve Center for Dispute Resolution and Restorative Justice
Many of us are feeling the weight and fatigue of the pandemic. When was the last time you gave yourself the space for play? Play aids in our resilience and settles our nervous systems. Engaging in play gives us a sense of joyful connections to ourselves and others. In this workshop we will explore and facilitate a variety of fun and playful ways to get to know others, to have fun together, and allow the permission to play.
3 B - Relentless Restoration
Kim Ford, Brandon Shell, DeShaun Nabors – Community Passageways
We are in the midst of two killer pandemics, COVID and urban gun violence. While both are extremely contagious diseases, gun violence is concentrated among a small number of influential individuals most vulnerable to perpetrating or becoming victimized by gun violence. Community Passageways’ Deep Dive and 30 Days of Peace relationship-centered programs reduce risky behaviors, build positive leadership and save lives by supporting young people in navigating complex systems (to access education, court advocacy, employment, and care for serious medical disorders), offering culturally competent curriculum, group learning and connection, mentorship, and crisis intervention including safe, temporary relocation.
3 C - The Psychology of Punitiveness: Racism and Redeemability in Restorative Justice Capacity Building
Gina Ronning - Insight Development Group & Common Ground Consulting NW
Racial resentment mindsets and attitudes remain the strongest predictors of punitiveness in the United States. Racism and crime types are the strongest predictors in how individuals decide who is “redeemable.” Although support for rehabilitation and restorative interventions are generally increasing, racism and the hierarchy of crimes continually drives the narrative for retributive justice policies and practices. This session explores the role racism has in shaping narratives of redeemability.
3 D - A Better Measure: New Metrics for Restorative Culture in Schools and Beyond
Leah Wilborn Neese, Inga Laurent, Julie Schaffer - Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane Public Schools
A critical issue facing restorative justice (RJ) is keeping programs grounded in their roots and underlying values as adoption proliferates. While supporters and practitioners should welcome newcomers we also must work to encourage an affirming and critical assessment of our own and emerging programs. This workshop discusses the process of implementing measurements at Spokane Public Schools as well as the importance of evaluative tools that better resonate with program goals and values of RJ.
3 A - Permission to Play
KeriAnn Rumrey & Tim Rasmussen - Resolve Center for Dispute Resolution and Restorative Justice
Many of us are feeling the weight and fatigue of the pandemic. When was the last time you gave yourself the space for play? Play aids in our resilience and settles our nervous systems. Engaging in play gives us a sense of joyful connections to ourselves and others. In this workshop we will explore and facilitate a variety of fun and playful ways to get to know others, to have fun together, and allow the permission to play.
3 B - Relentless Restoration
Kim Ford, Brandon Shell, DeShaun Nabors – Community Passageways
We are in the midst of two killer pandemics, COVID and urban gun violence. While both are extremely contagious diseases, gun violence is concentrated among a small number of influential individuals most vulnerable to perpetrating or becoming victimized by gun violence. Community Passageways’ Deep Dive and 30 Days of Peace relationship-centered programs reduce risky behaviors, build positive leadership and save lives by supporting young people in navigating complex systems (to access education, court advocacy, employment, and care for serious medical disorders), offering culturally competent curriculum, group learning and connection, mentorship, and crisis intervention including safe, temporary relocation.
3 C - The Psychology of Punitiveness: Racism and Redeemability in Restorative Justice Capacity Building
Gina Ronning - Insight Development Group & Common Ground Consulting NW
Racial resentment mindsets and attitudes remain the strongest predictors of punitiveness in the United States. Racism and crime types are the strongest predictors in how individuals decide who is “redeemable.” Although support for rehabilitation and restorative interventions are generally increasing, racism and the hierarchy of crimes continually drives the narrative for retributive justice policies and practices. This session explores the role racism has in shaping narratives of redeemability.
3 D - A Better Measure: New Metrics for Restorative Culture in Schools and Beyond
Leah Wilborn Neese, Inga Laurent, Julie Schaffer - Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane Public Schools
A critical issue facing restorative justice (RJ) is keeping programs grounded in their roots and underlying values as adoption proliferates. While supporters and practitioners should welcome newcomers we also must work to encourage an affirming and critical assessment of our own and emerging programs. This workshop discusses the process of implementing measurements at Spokane Public Schools as well as the importance of evaluative tools that better resonate with program goals and values of RJ.
May 19, 2022
Session 4: 10:15am-11:45am
4 A - Blending Restorative Practices with Multi-Tiered Student Support Systems During Comprehensive Distance Learning
Claudia Vincent & Darren Reiley – University of Oregon
We report findings from our study on blending restorative practices with multi-tiered student support systems that was impacted by the Covid-19 related school closures. Results from interviews with participating high school teacher yielded insights about how to care and connect in a virtual environment using restorative practices like active listening and on-line classroom circles. We will engage the audience with concepts fundamental to restorative practices implementation in schools, such as transparency, vulnerability, and de-centering of authority, to illustrate their challenges and benefits for teachers and students in actual and virtual environments.
4 B - Inquire Within: Restorative Approach in Self-Talk
Scott Smith - Center for Dialogue and Resolution (Lane County)
Restorative Justice is a worldview and approach for navigating conflicts and harms between people. However, we all have dialogues of different sorts going on inside our heads a lot of the time, and for most people those voices are often not harmonious or respectful. In this interactive workshop, we will explore some of the ways that restorative questions and skills can help cultivate inner harmony and strength. Please joins us for a session of active self-care and mutual support.
4 C - The Red Road to Abolition
Jose Gutierrez - Red Road Consulting
Have you ever wondered what a world without prisons would be like? Do you hear fear being constantly propelled on media outlets? Is it possible to forgive a murderer? Taking a deep dive into the connections between restorative justice, the prison industrial complex, and abolition we will answer these questions and more. Find out what incredible work is being done to bring healing to those left to fight for their right to exist...
4 A - Blending Restorative Practices with Multi-Tiered Student Support Systems During Comprehensive Distance Learning
Claudia Vincent & Darren Reiley – University of Oregon
We report findings from our study on blending restorative practices with multi-tiered student support systems that was impacted by the Covid-19 related school closures. Results from interviews with participating high school teacher yielded insights about how to care and connect in a virtual environment using restorative practices like active listening and on-line classroom circles. We will engage the audience with concepts fundamental to restorative practices implementation in schools, such as transparency, vulnerability, and de-centering of authority, to illustrate their challenges and benefits for teachers and students in actual and virtual environments.
4 B - Inquire Within: Restorative Approach in Self-Talk
Scott Smith - Center for Dialogue and Resolution (Lane County)
Restorative Justice is a worldview and approach for navigating conflicts and harms between people. However, we all have dialogues of different sorts going on inside our heads a lot of the time, and for most people those voices are often not harmonious or respectful. In this interactive workshop, we will explore some of the ways that restorative questions and skills can help cultivate inner harmony and strength. Please joins us for a session of active self-care and mutual support.
4 C - The Red Road to Abolition
Jose Gutierrez - Red Road Consulting
Have you ever wondered what a world without prisons would be like? Do you hear fear being constantly propelled on media outlets? Is it possible to forgive a murderer? Taking a deep dive into the connections between restorative justice, the prison industrial complex, and abolition we will answer these questions and more. Find out what incredible work is being done to bring healing to those left to fight for their right to exist...
Session 5: 1:00pm-2:30pm
5 A - Restorative Justice as an Alternative to Prosecution: HB 2204 and Oregon's Restorative Justice Fund
Tristen Edwards, Simon Fulford - Metropolitan Public Defender, Parrott Creek Child and Family Services
This workshop will provide an overview of the restorative justice legislation that was passed in Oregon last year. HB 2204 established a dedicated fund for restorative justice alternatives to prosecution and sparked a conversation within the restorative justice community around RJ’s intersection with criminal justice reform. This presentation will discuss the different debates happening on the rules committee and the restorative justice community around the role restorative justice can play within or as an alternative to the criminal justice system.
5 B - Coming Home: Challenges to Reentry After Incarceration and What Our Communities Can Do to Help
Garrett Landram, Kim Beckham, Nanette Boarders, Steve McDannel, Jessica Means – Department of Corrections, Division of Child Support, New Connections
This workshop invites you to take a walk in the shoes of someone reentering our communities after incarceration. Learn about the unique challenges faced by those immediately reentering and the long term impact the justice system has on their everyday life. We will also discuss how community can help individuals overcome these barriers and set people up for success down the road. This workshop is interactive so come ready to learn and engage in conversation.
5 C - Civic Engagement on Police Accountability: Where Does Restorative Justice Come In?
Audrey Zunkel-deCoursey – League of Women Voters of Portland
In 2021 the League of Women Voters of Portland released an in-depth report on accountability for the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) stemming from decades of work in civilian advisory. Where does civic engagement and advocacy connect with Restorative Justice in practice and in principle? This workshop will present major findings from the 2021 report and updates. The workshop will then invite discussion with participants to generate ideas about ways civilian police oversight can embody RJ.
5 A - Restorative Justice as an Alternative to Prosecution: HB 2204 and Oregon's Restorative Justice Fund
Tristen Edwards, Simon Fulford - Metropolitan Public Defender, Parrott Creek Child and Family Services
This workshop will provide an overview of the restorative justice legislation that was passed in Oregon last year. HB 2204 established a dedicated fund for restorative justice alternatives to prosecution and sparked a conversation within the restorative justice community around RJ’s intersection with criminal justice reform. This presentation will discuss the different debates happening on the rules committee and the restorative justice community around the role restorative justice can play within or as an alternative to the criminal justice system.
5 B - Coming Home: Challenges to Reentry After Incarceration and What Our Communities Can Do to Help
Garrett Landram, Kim Beckham, Nanette Boarders, Steve McDannel, Jessica Means – Department of Corrections, Division of Child Support, New Connections
This workshop invites you to take a walk in the shoes of someone reentering our communities after incarceration. Learn about the unique challenges faced by those immediately reentering and the long term impact the justice system has on their everyday life. We will also discuss how community can help individuals overcome these barriers and set people up for success down the road. This workshop is interactive so come ready to learn and engage in conversation.
5 C - Civic Engagement on Police Accountability: Where Does Restorative Justice Come In?
Audrey Zunkel-deCoursey – League of Women Voters of Portland
In 2021 the League of Women Voters of Portland released an in-depth report on accountability for the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) stemming from decades of work in civilian advisory. Where does civic engagement and advocacy connect with Restorative Justice in practice and in principle? This workshop will present major findings from the 2021 report and updates. The workshop will then invite discussion with participants to generate ideas about ways civilian police oversight can embody RJ.
NW Justice Forum
a collaborative effort of restorative justice practitioners across Idaho, Oregon and Washington
a collaborative effort of restorative justice practitioners across Idaho, Oregon and Washington
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