Restorative Justice

Restorative justice is a philosophy of repairing the harm done by crime through an emphasis on involving the parties most affected by a crime. This includes a focus on:

• providing opportunities for victims to participate in assuring that justice is done
• assuring offender accountability, rehabilitation and reintegration into the community
• seeking participation of local communities in issues of crime and justice
• helping offenders assume personal responsibility to victims and to the community for the crimes committed
• helping offenders improve their skills and understanding through the restorative justice experience

Under 2-15-2013 of the Montana Code Annotated, the Office of Victim Services:

• promotes the use of restorative justice throughout the state by balancing the needs of victims, communities and juvenile and adult offenders
• provides technical assistance to jurisdictions and organizations interested in implementing the principles of restorative justice
• brings additional resources to Montana communities for the purpose of restorative justice

Since opening in October 2001, the office has:

• sponsored a yearly training event for those interested in implementing restorative justice principles and practices in their communities
• provided training and technical assistance to community and government groups
• maintained a list-serve and housed a library of restorative justice resources

Restorative Justice Programs

Montana communities have implemented a number of programs based on this philosophy, including victim/offender meetings, family group conferencing, sentencing circles, the use of victim and community impact statements, restitution programs, victim awareness education, school expulsion alternatives, diversion programs and community panels.

Restorative Justice is effective because:

• The traditional role of a victim as simply a witness or complainant is expanded to view victims as key/crucial clients of the criminal justice system. Interaction with victims is guided by their needs.
• A community has the opportunity to assume its obligations for the welfare of its members, for addressing the causes of crime and for building a more peaceful community.
• Offender accountability and responsibility are recognized as central to the success of a justice process, as well as the need to re-integrate offenders into the community.
• A number of studies of restorative practices, like mediation, restitution and family-group conferences, indicate a decrease in recidivism and an increase in participant satisfaction.

For more information about Restorative Justice programs in Montana, contact:

Joan Eliel, Program Specialist
Office of Victim Services
Department of Justice
2225 11th Avenue
P.O. Box 201410
Helena, MT 59620-1410

Phone: (406) 444-5803
Fax: (406) 444-9680
E-mail: jeliel@mt.gov