Restorative Justice

Circles of Transformation

Implementation of "Circles of Transformation: Listen, Learn, Process Issues of Transition" at Chillicothe Correctional Center through the Transitional Housing Unit. With the help of community volunteers (facilitators), twelve women gather for two hours for 6 sessions every Monday evening with every participant will have the opportunity to speak and to listen as hopes and concerns about release are shared. The six sessions are broken down as follows: process their reentry concerns; support each other in addressing those concerns; learn positive communication and problem solving skills that can improve relationships; share what forgiveness means and does not mean to them and the impact of forgiveness in their life; make initial plans for stable reentry into family and community life; and explore supports systems that can enable successful reentry once they are released. We have also started a similar session for Long/Timers (women with 15 to life sentences). The program is different in some respects because it focuses on issues of their lives in the institution. At the request of staff at Western Missouri Correctional Center we have implemented the program at that facility for men with the same structure, goals, etc…