Project Navigate Constructive Change - Restorative Justice (PNCC-RJ)

The PNCC-RJ program helps people repair the harm caused by violence in relationships. Cases typically involve family members or intimate partners where there are no physical injuries, or there are minor injuries. The RJ approach emphasizes that we are more than the worst harm we’ve ever committed. The program focuses on identifying and addressing issues to prevent harm from re-occurring. We believe people are able to change and can learn from their behaviors.

If you are a willing and committed participant, the program offers a pathway out of the legal system without time in jail,  a conviction, or a reduced charge. You will learn tools to help make more positive and healthy behavior choices so that your future decisions will reflect your best self, prevent harm to others, and build lasting skills for positive relationships and partnerships.

Getting Started

PNCC-RJ is a post-plea intervention that emphasizes accountability over incarceration and empowers the victims of the crime to contribute to the process of how to repair the harm that occurred. The victim must agree for the participant to be considered for program participation. The program is monitored by the Courts and the agreement is monitored by a community-based case management team and other partners.

Participants

Participants (defendants) are typically required to enter a plea, work with a restorative justice case manager from Mary Magdalene Community Services, and complete agreed-upon program activities as directed by the PNCC-RJ team, such as counseling, anger management, or substance use treatment services.

Victims

Affected parties (victims) may choose to work with an advocate from PREVAIL of Stockton (a PNCC-RJ partner), to assist them with finding a meaningful solution to repair the harm that was caused. For affected parties, participation is voluntary. Victims may elect to have someone else represent them in the program (called a “surrogate”).

Participants work with their RJ case manager to make amends for their actions, listen to what the other person says is needed to make it better, and develop a plan to repair the harm. Once the required activities to repair harm are complete, participants are eligible to graduate from the program, and their charges may be reduced or dismissed.

At the conclusion of the program, participants will attend a graduation ceremony with family and friends. It is the goal upon graduating from PNCC-RJ for the participant to see either a reduction in charge or the complete dismissal of their case. Participants are encouraged to maintain relationships with the program managers even after the resolution of their cases, with the lasting objective being to reduce recidivism. For eligibility and application requests, see the sidebar.