THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 25, 1996 TAG: 9610250590
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 32 lines
A workshop will be held from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday for civic leagues interested in the ``restorative justice'' program of the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
The workshop will be held on the third floor of the Juvenile Court - School Administration Building at St. Paul's Boulevard and City Hall Avenue.
The restorative justice program assigns nonviolent juvenile lawbreakers to perform community service for civic leagues and other neighborhood groups. Examples of tasks have included cleaning the grounds of recreation centers, setting up for community dinners and helping with newsletters.
The program began in May of 1995. Since then it has operated in 17 neighborhoods, with 189 teenagers assigned to civic leagues or other grass-roots groups.
Restorative justice ``shifts the focus'' from passively taking punishment, such as being fined or sent to a detention center or jail, ``to actively making amends to victims or communities,'' said Kevin J. Moran, director of court services.
``It creates an opportunity for victims and communities to have direct and active input into the process of holding juvenile offenders accountable,'' he said.
The workshop Saturday is for neighborhoods already involved as well as groups interested in considering joining the program, Moran said.
For information, call Mildred Stokes, community service coordinator, at 664-7662. by CNB