• Circles are facilitated community meetings attended by offenders, victims, their friends and families, interested members of the community, and (usually) representatives of the justice system. The facilitator (called a "keeper") is a community member whose role is primarily to keep the process orderly and periodically summarize the meeting for the benefit of the circle. The idea is derived from aboriginal peacemaking practices in North America.


• Participants speak one at a time, and may address a wide range of issues regarding the crime, including community conditions or other concerns. The focus is on finding an approach that leads to a constructive outcome consistent with the needs of the victim and community addressed along with the needs and obligations of the offender. In the context of the group, the process moves toward consensus on a plan to be followed and how it will be monitored.


• Circles do not focus exclusively on sentencing. The process itself often leads participants to discover and address issues beyond the immediate issue of a particular crime. When sentencing is involved, the circle plan outlines the commitments required of the offender and may also include commitments by others such as family and community members. Noncompliance with the circle plan results in the case being returned to the circle or to the formal court process.


• Because they do not have to focus solely on the crime, the victim, or the offender, participation in circles is not restricted to the immediate parties to the crime and those closest to them. Circles can include any community members who choose to participate. Every participant is heard - both in expressing their perspectives and feelings about the crime or other issues, and in proposing and committing to solutions.


• The circle process allows for expression of its members' norms and expectations, leading to a shared affirmation by the circle - not just for the offender, but for the community at large. This context offers renewed community identity and strengthens community life for its members through their participation.


• A circle process is initiated when an offender or victim makes application. Support groups may be formed for the victim and the offender. Multiple circles may be held with the support groups before the larger circle occurs. After the circle process has produced a plan by consensus of the whole circle, follow-up circles typically monitor it.


• Circles bring a measure of healing to the community, the victim, the offender and their families while lowering the rate of recidivism for offenders using circles over those who were processed by standard criminal justice practices.

Call for an appointment to learn more about these processes and how they can help your community.