Genesis at the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission

On June 13th 2018, Genesis organized a presentation advocating for Restorative Justice to the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission. The presentation took place during the Commission’s monthly meeting at the Juvenile Justice Center in San Leandro. Genesis in solidarity with RJOY, Community Works West, and Restore Oakland spread awareness of the benefit and positive impact of Restorative Justice. Genesis had two youth interns that were apart of the presentation.

Restorative Justice focuses on healing the community by opening up a dialogue between the youth that committed the crime and the victim with the support of family, the community, and law enforcement. The focus of the dialogue is how the damage dealt can be repaired. Restorative Justice allows the voice of the person harmed to be heard, and also places high accountability on the youth who committed the crime. This process, allows the youth to sit with their community and learn from their mistakes, rather than become incarcerated.

Genesis and its allies have received a “yes” response to the two asks proposed at the meeting which were the following:

1) Will you, the JJDPC, create a group or a subcommittee to study the resources that we have available about the benefits of investing in diversion programs like Restorative Practices before September 2018?

2) Will you, the JJDPC, write a letter of support for more investment for diversion programs that include Restorative Practices for the September 2018 Board of Supervisors Public Protection meeting?

Genesis will continue to advocate for the implementation of Restorative Justice practices in place of traditional youth incarceration.