Community Conferencing

Community Conferencing is a conflict transformation process that uses a restorative justice framework to address incidents of harm in schools, communities and within the juvenile and criminal justice systems.

 

Community Conferencing brings together all those involved in, and affected by, an incident or conflict in order to:

· Hear what happened directly from those involved

· Tell how each individual has been affected by the situation

· Create a written agreement that addresses what needs to be done to repair the harm and stop it from happening again.

 

Referrals for Community Conferencing can be made by:

· Individuals

· School administration

· Police officers, including School Resource Officers

· Attorney's for the State's Attorney's Office

· Public Defenders

· Dept of Juvenile Services Intake Officers

 

Click here for our referral form.

 

Important facts about Community Conferencing:

· 98% of all Community Conferences reach an agreement that resolves the situation

· A Maryland Dept of Juvenile Services study reported that recidivism rates were 60% lower for juveniles participating in Community Conferences than in a matched sample of juveniles participating in the traditional juvenile justice system process.

· Everyone wins, nothing is lost-- if an agreement is not reached, or participants do not comply with their agreement, the case is returned to the referral source to be dealt with in the usual manner

· Community Conferencing is a voluntary process.

· The Community Conferencing Program at CRC uses the Community Conferencing model developed by the Community Conferencing Center in Baltimore, Maryland. CCP is a member of Maryland's Statewide Community Conferencing Partnership, which is organized and supported by the Community Conferencing Center.  Visit their website at www.communityconferencing.org

 

 

If you are interesting in becoming a Community Conferencing Facilitator, click here

 

Conflict Resolution Center of Baltimore County

8707 Harford Rd, Suite A, Parkville, MD 21234

410-663-7070