Greater Barre Community Justice Center

Creating understanding and resolution together

Programs of the GBCJC

Reparative Boards: We are administering three citizen member reparative boards by: conducting intakes, recruiting board members, and providing board trainings, using restorative methods with post-sentence cases.
Spaulding High School Restorative Panels: The GBCJC has trained 30 students to conduct restorative panel meetings at the school, which offer a positive alternative to traditional methods of handling conflicts and disputes. The aim is to increase student participation in the education and use of restorative justice principles and practices, empower them to create a safe and communicative environment at their school and reduce suspensions and detentions.
Mediation Program: For disputes between neighbors, landlord/tenant, business owners/customers, employees and citizen/city agencies. Our trained mediators conduct intakes and mediate cases.
Just Alternatives- Pre-charge program for youth: Funded by a grant from the Children and Family Council for Prevention Programs, Agency of Human Services and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. In conjunction with the Capital Community Justice Center (Montpelier) we have developed pre-charge programs called Justice F. Y. I. (Montpelier) and Just Alternatives (Barre). A protocol has been signed with the State’s Attorney and the Barre and Montpelier Police Departments. Direct referrals will come from the police and schools. GBCJC is collaborating with Washington County Youth Services Bureau, Barre City Police. Screening and necessary referrals will be made for support services. Community volunteers trained in Family Group Conferencing and Reparative Boards will receive additional training in youth development.
Offender Re-entry: The GBCJC has received a grant from the Department of Corrections to plan the development of a program to address community concerns about offender reentry, involve community members in planning and providing support to those who have been affected as well as to those who are re-entering the community from incarceration.
Community Forums: Will be organized as needed. We are researching methods of community dialogue so that the best one can be used for whatever issues come up: Study Circles, Deliberative Dialogue, Public conversations, etc.
Community Conferencing: A method of delivering restorative justice, which brings all parties of an incident together: the person who has harmed, and the affected parties. A facilitator follows a restorative process addressing who was harmed and how, and what can be done to make amends.
Victim Support Program: The GBCJC held meetings with victim advocacy organizations to learn what services exist, and how the justice centers can fit on the continuum to provide victim services to their communities. Citizen based services will be developed from this information.
Trainings in conflict management, communication skills and restorative justice: The GBCJC delivers trainings to groups who are interested in learning more about these areas. We also conduct ongoing Reparative Board training for new volunteers.

The Citizen Advisory Board has produced a strategic plan for the GBCJC. By looking at programs, partnerships and education, we will focus on priorities and deliver our mission to the greater Barre area.

History • Principles • Staff • Board of Directors

20 Auditorium Hill, Barre, VT 05641 • 802-476-0276 • barrecjc@sover.net