Full Report

What is the RJ process all about?

The RJ process brings together in a safe environment the offender and the people harmed or affected by the offender's actions. Also included in the conference or "circle" are a trained RJ facilitator and co-facilitator, and family and/or friends of the offender and the harmed party or parties.

During the conference, the offender accepts responsibility and talks about what happened; the harmed and affected parties describe how they have been affected; and all parties prepare a "harm-repairing" contract. Completion of this contract is monitored by the Restorative Justice program coordinator.

Why RJ, when established judicial systems already exist on campus?

When there are questions about whether the Student Code of Conduct has been violated, existing campus judicial processes allow for an investigation to take place. These processes are relatively efficient and, when offenders admit to wrongdoing, require little or no investigation. However, unlike the process used by the RJ program, existing judicial processes do not bring offenders, harmed parties, and affected community members together for a face-to-face conversation. And, rather than focusing on the policy violation, the RJ approach allows participants to focus on understanding the harm that has occurred to relationships and to the community, and to decide how to best repair it.

Are you the offender?

• You can acknowledge responsibility for your actions and, by doing so, restore your reputation in the campus community.
• You can help create a plan to repair the harm you've done to people and property.
• You can repair damaged relationships.

Are you a harmed party or an affected community member?

• You have the opportunity to tell the offender, in a safe environment, how his or her actions affected you.
• You can play an active role in deciding how the offender will repair the harm he or she has done, which will help the offender make better choices in the future.

Are you a friend or family member of either the offender or the harmed party?

• You can tell how you were affected and how you saw your loved one affected.
• You can help others see "the whole person" while supporting the offender through what can be an emotionally challenging process.

How can I learn more about Restorative Justice?

Watch our Restorative Justice video. In it, you'll find a simulated offense and resulting RJ Circle, as well as discussion of the principles of Restorative Justice. The cost of each video is $50. If you'd like to order one, click here for order form. The order form is in Adobe Acrobat format. Click here to download the free Adobe Acrobat reader.

You can also learn more by contacting:

Gina Bata
Restorative Justice Program Coordinator
University of Colorado at Boulder
Willard Administrative Center, RM 51
10 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0010
Phone: 303-492-0316

To find out how you can get involved in the program, call 303-492-0316.