The Restorative Justice Community Court-Englewood (RJCC) Experience

Join us for an RJCC Experience and learn more about this diversion court process. Talk with court personnel, community stakeholders and participants about this innovation in reducing recidivism by targeting emerging adult offenders with community-based accountability tactics. This excursion will include a tour of the community court location, a description of the unique court experience highlighted by participant success stories, and participation in an introductory peace circle to round out the tour.

Restorative justice is an exciting criminal justice innovation that bring together the offender, the victim(s), and community stakeholders to hold the offender accountable for their criminal offenses while helping them understand the impact on the victims and the greater community. Unlike traditional criminal justice systems, restorative justice techniques engage victims and offenders in a more holistic approach to address accountability and reparation. The Circuit Court of Cook County introduced these techniques into the adult criminal justice system with the implementation of the Restorative Justice Community Courts (RJCC) in 2017. These courts align with the growing trend in the criminal justice field of providing evidence-based interventions that address criminogenic needs instead of focusing on punishment and deterrence with emerging adult offenders.

• Date: Tuesday, August 30
• Total Time: 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
• Transportation Provided (Distance from hotel: 9 miles)
• Meet in Hotel Lobby: 8:30 am
• Tour: 9:00 am – 11:30 am
• Return: 12:00 pm
• Total Participants: 20

SkyART

Tour SkyART, a visual arts program for youth involved in the juvenile justice system as well as a range of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and process-based arts programs and art therapy free of charge for Chicago families. SkyART provides free, safe, open spaces where young people are empowered, nurtured and connected through art. It is a consistent presence – a “third space” after home and school where participants develop meaningful relationships and experience a feeling of extended family. Learn about offsite programs offered within the greater community, including art therapy programs through Project Impact, Make Your Mark painting activations and SkyWAY workshops. Current community partners where SkyART provides art therapy include the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ); the Saura Center, a group home alternative for youth involved in the juvenile justice system; and Family Rescue, a shelter for victims of domestic violence.

• Date: Tuesday, August 30
• Total Time: 10:00 am – noon
• Transportation Provided (Distance from hotel: 11 miles)
• Meet in Hotel Lobby: 9:30 am
• Tour: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
• Return: 12:00 pm
• Total Participants: 15

Treatment Alternatives for Safe Communities (TASC) Reporting Center

Tour the TASC Reporting Center and learn about the positive programming offered to youth. Talk with program heads to learn about the hip hop program and other offerings. When young people get caught up in child welfare or juvenile justice systems, they are more likely than other youth to later become involved in the adult criminal legal system. And, when parents’ children are taken into foster care, or when young people are arrested, these types of family disruptions often have lasting consequences and perpetuate systemic racial injustices. To reduce such risks and strengthen families, TASC offers intensive outreach and specialized services for youth and parents who may be struggling. In these ways, TASC helps stop generational cycles of justice involvement, and gives families the skills and tools to thrive.

• Date: Tuesday, August 30
• Total Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
• Transportation Provided (Distance from hotel: 6 miles)
• Meet in Hotel Lobby: 2:00 pm
• Tour: 2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
• Return: 4:00 pm
• Total Participants: 15

WJI RECLAMATION CENTER

During the pandemic, gender-based violence and other issues that disproportionately impact women reached an all-time high, especially among formerly incarcerated women on probation and parole. The national NFP Women's Justice Institute (WJI) (www.womensjusticeinstitute.org) founded the WJI Reclamation Center to provide a safe, creative and inspiring space where women can collaborate, change narratives, access services with dignity and reclaim their lives. The Center is the nation's first co-working, arts/advocacy, and mutual support space founded by-and-for women with lived experience. At the center, formerly incarcerated women build community and reclaim their lives through cutting-edge programs which include a Survival Fund (cash assistance program) and Survival Backpacks for those returning home or in crisis.

You may support the WJI Reclamation Center by making a cash donation of any amount and/or bringing toiletries to help fill Survival Backpacks. Donations will be collected at the 47th Annual Training Institute and distributed to the local office in Chicago. For more information about the WJI Reclamation Center, please contact Deanne Benos. The tour is on Tuesday and will feature artwork created by impacted women, a spoken word performance and a panel on the ways formerly incarcerated women are partnering with stakeholders, including community corrections officials, to transform systems.

From 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm, there will be a reception hosted by the co-chairs of APPA’s Justice-Involved Women & Girls Committee. Tour participants and committee members are invited.

• Date: Tuesday, August 30
• Total Time: 1:30 pm - 4:15 pm
• Transportation Provided (Distance from hotel: 2.5 miles)
• Meet in Hotel Lobby: 1:30 pm
• Tour: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
• Return: 4:15 pm
• Reception: 4:30 pm - 6:30 PM (Tour participants will be invited to a special reception following the tour; transportation from the reception back to the hotel is on your own. It is a quick, inexpensive taxi ride).
• Total Participants: 40