A Kitchen Table Dialogue on Restorative Justice and Ex-Offenders

Held March 28, 2011

What happens when you take active, concerned citizens, add a stellar panel of experts, and stir in a
conversation on restorative justice and ex-offenders? You get a Community Action Kitchen Table
Dialogue. In late March 2011, 40 community members discussed issues related to imprisonment,
incarceration alternatives, re-entry supports, and changes in the criminal justice system. The key
observations are below.

1. Restorative justice views the offender as an individual who has hurt both the victim and the
community. The offender is accountable to those harmed and the community must be involved in
intervention and prevention of crime. Two-thirds of the group was familiar with the concept.
2. Fifty-four percent of the group felt the primary reason to send someone to prison was to protect
society or punish offenders. However, general consensus was that more people are being sent to
prison than really need to be there for societal protection or punishment.
3. The keys to restorative justice success were the provision of jobs and housing. These supports
along with a longer transition period were considered critical to avoiding recidivism.
4. A contrast between accountability on the part of the offender versus a systemic failure was made.
The community or “system” can fail as well as the individual. This led to a discussion of how long
criminal records follow a person, even records from juvenile crimes.
5. Participants believed that imprisonment affects not only the offender but the offender’s family
and the community.
6. Fifty-two percent of the group indicated restorative justice could work for nonviolent and violent
crime. Many felt that violent offenders should face traditional consequences prior to restorative
justice efforts.
7. Ultimately, the consensus was that the criminal justice system, community members, and local
government have to work together to change the system. Over one-third of the group said lack of
funding to implement a change would prevent a new restorative justice system from working.
Another 42% said fear and lack of understanding would also hamper a systemic change.
Panelists:
John Choi, Ramsey County Attorney
Lindsay Davis, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services Staff Attorney
John Kirkwood, Ramsey County Chief-Deputy Sheriff
Lori Stee, Rebuild Resources Program Director
Sarah Walker, 180 Degrees Chief Operating Officer

Discussion Group:
The discussion group was split evenly between men and women; 72% were between the ages of 36 and
65. They represented all ethnicities with white/Caucasian at 41% and Black/African American at 30%
making up the majority. Over thirty percent had children under the age of 18 living at home. Thirty-
nine percent said it was hard to make ends meet each month; 51% said they were reasonably
comfortable for now, and only 10% said they were comfortable with no worries for the future.

Future Kitchen Tables will be held on subjects impacting low-income individuals and families. Check
www.caprw.org or our Facebook page for more information or if you have an idea for a subject.
 March 28, 2011 Kitchen Table Dialogue Question Responses
Q: What is the primary reason to send someone to jail?

20% 25.7%
5.7%
28.6% 20%

Protect society Rehabilitate

Punishment Justice for victims
Discourage crime

Q: What works best to reduce crime?

7.7% 7.7%

12.8%

71.8%

Retribution – eye for an eye

Imprisonment – lock them up
Deterrence – make an example
Restorative – heal the community

Q: How familiar are you with the idea of restorative justice?

9.1%

18.2% 45.4%

27.3%

Very familiar Somewhat familiar

Not very familiar Not at all familiar
Q: What could prevent restorative justice from working?

21%
36.8%
10.5%

5.3% 5.3% 21%

Community fear
No incentive to change
Lack of understanding
It doesn’t work
Victims don’t believe it will help
Lack of funding to make the change

Q: For what type of crime would restorative justice work best?

0% 10.5%

52.6% 36.8%

Nonviolent except white collar

Nonviolent including white collar
Nonviolent and violent
Violent only

Q: Who is responsible for implementing restorative justice?

26.3% 36.8%

36.8%

Law enforcement system Community & peers

Local government