SPECIAL ISSUE: Interview with Derek Miodownik
tee was developed consisting of members
representing DOC, DCF, BARJ, the Community Justice Network of Vermont (CJNVT) and the Vermont Association of Court
Diversion Programs (VACDP). The Imagine
RJ workgroup’s purpose was to conceive of
and articulate a vision for a seamless delivery system of restorative justice services,
and to be aspirational in doing so.
JD: You were part of that work group?
DM: Yes, representing the Department
of Corrections.
JD: What has the group accomplished?
DM: The group submitted its report entitled, “Strengthening Restorative Justice,
A Progress Report” on March 12, 2014.2
Readers are welcome to contact me at
[email protected] if they’d like
a copy of the whole report.
Since then, a second level group, the
practical steps group, has been meeting
with the purpose of drafting a construction blueprint for the vision articulated in
the report. The scaffolding for the delivery
of restorative justice services will be the sequential intercept model. These are procedural points of contact between individuals and the justice system where alternatives to subsequent system involvement
are available. It may be helpful to think of
them as off-ramps from the criminal justice
system freeway, and each one provides a
valuable opportunity to utilize restorative
justice. Actually, we are looking at delivery opportunities that precede the sequential intercept model, such as integrating restorative practices into schools, both in response to specific incidents and as a proactive means of communication. This new
group has just met twice and we are looking at how we can develop architecture in
Vermont for universal access to a full continuum of restorative justice services that
transcends current perceptual barriers to
delivery.
DOC, DCF, BARJ and The Center for Crime
Victim Services. We hope to include a representative from the Agency of Education
and other key stakeholders as this effort
evolves.
JD: It seems to me you are missing the
elephant that should be in the room—representatives of the court system: judges,
prosecutors, and public defenders.
DM: True. These players are often i