Michigan Restorative Justice Council
Purpose
The Michigan Restorative Justice Council (MRJC) promotes victim/offender dialogue to open a path to mercy, forgiveness, healing, and restoration in our society. This would only occur if both the person who was harmed by the crime and the person who committed the crime agree. The Council will research restorative justice and mediation strategies that can be adopted legislatively to implement restorative justice mediation at the various stages of Michigan’s criminal justice process including pre- and post-charge, pre-trial, trial, and post-conviction.
Restorative practices seek to repair harm through transformative encounters. These practices promote alternative sentencing, in-prison transformation, re-entry support and interrupting the cycle of violence. The MRJC desires that crime and wrongdoing be viewed in terms of the people and relationships impacted, in addition to the law or rule that was broken. The MRJC seeks justice, not vengeance, and believes punishment must have a clear purpose of protecting society, healing victims, and rehabilitating those who violate the law.
For more information contact us:
tworrell@grdiocese.org, 616-475-1255
Council Members
- Christiana DeGroot – Professor, Calvin University (Retired)
- Michael Duthler – Certified Drug & Alcohol Counselor-DP, ACAC, Inc.
- D.J. Florian – Director, Diocese of Grand Rapids Pastoral Services
- Christine Gilman - Executive Director, Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan
- D. J. Hilson – Muskegon County Prosecutor
- Rob Howard, M.Sc. – Parole/Probation Supervisor, Kent County Probation
- Sen. Mark Huizenga – State Senator, 28th Senate District
- Clorissa Novak - Grand Rapids Police Department, Victim Services Coordinator
- Nick Nichols – Executive Co-Director, Reentry Reimagined
- Richard Ray – Steering Committee Chair, Michigan Consortium for Higher Education in Prison
- Tara Rodriguez – Political Consultant, Calder Group
- The Honorable Joseph Rossi – Judge, Kent County 17th Circuit Court
- Angie Sprank – Coordinator, Region 4 Michigan Department of Corrections Offender Success Program
- Paul Stankewitz - Policy Advocate, Michigan Catholic Conference
- Tricia Worrell - Chairwoman, MRJC - Director, Diocese of Grand Rapids Prison and Jail Ministry
- Lori Wortz – Owner, Braenaru Consulting
About the Michigan Restorative Justice Council
Bridging the Gap, Shaping the Restorative Narrative
Stories from prison regarding how programing has been restorative, transforming and has radically changed many of our incarcerated friends. It is their hope, these stories will inspire and encourage you to begin implementing restorative practices in your home, community, schools, churches and prison.
Forgiveness Panel Discussion
Watch this video to learn about the transformation that begins when those who have caused harm receive and accept forgiveness during this panel discussion from prison. This discussion was part of West Michigan's 3rd Annual Restorative Justice Conference: Radical Forgiveness.