When Erica Washington was worn down from litigating death penalty cases, a local faith-based coalition introduced her to restorative justice diversion and her career trajectory shifted.

In this episode, Erica explains how her team supports communities across the country as they create pre-charge alternatives to incarceration. She also takes us inside the experience of accompanying participants through a Restorative Community Conferencing process.

Fueled by a desire to create off-ramps from racialized dehumanization in the criminal legal system, Erica believes strongly in the power of transforming pain into purpose — for individuals, communities, and systems.

- - - -

Stay connected with Catholic Mobilizing Network and our mission to end the death penalty, advance justice, and begin healing. Join our network at catholicsmobilizing.org

To learn more about how to build a pre-charge restorative justice diversion program, check out EJUSA’s Diversion Toolkit for Communities: restorativejustice.ejusa.org/

Join us for an introductory workshop on restorative justice. These three-hour virtual sessions are held throughout the year. Visit catholicsmobilizing.org/events

When Mike Butler started as a police officer in Longmont, Colorado, the department and the community were not operating in right relationship with one another. That’s why he began looking for approaches to public safety that would embrace the gifts and talents of all members of the community.

In his 26 years as Chief of Public Safety in Longmont, Mike worked to create community partnerships that were rooted in the principles and practices of restorative justice—and the fruits of this dedication are clear.

Mike joins us on this episode to share how the journey to reimagine public safety in Longmont, CO included taking a hard look at what needed to change within the police department in order to build a culture of mutual responsibility beyond it.

- - - -

Stay connected with Catholic Mobilizing Network and our mission to end the death penalty, advance justice, and begin healing. Join our network at catholicsmobilizing.org

You can watch the “How to Love Your Enemy” documentary at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2zDQ4S4n7I.

At St. Simon of Cyrene Catholic Parish on the westside of Chicago, restorative practices are a part of everyday parish life—from one-on-one conversations, to addressing conflict and trauma in the community, to organizing for justice and equity.

In this episode, Fr. Larry Dowling joins us to share about how implementing these restorative approaches in his parish community has supported all parishioners, from children and parents, to returning citizens, to the parish council.

By breaking open Scripture and theology, Fr. Larry invites each of us to live into the principles and practices of restorative justice as a way of being Church.

- - -

Stay connected with Catholic Mobilizing Network and our mission to end the death penalty, advance justice, and begin healing. Join our network at catholicsmobilizing.org

Ready to implement restorative practices in your parish or ministry? Check out CMN’s new program, Conversations in Communion: Parish Dialogues for Connection and Understanding at catholicsmobilizing.org/conversations.

Read the blog by Fr. Larry, Courageous Conversations on Race at catholicsmobilizing.org/blog/courageous-conversations-on-race/