RIT to host restorative justice conference

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RIT’s Department of Criminal Justice, along with Partners in Restorative Initiatives, is sponsoring the 2014 Western New York Restorative Justice Conference April 9–10.

Restorative justice—which brings together crime victims, offenders and community members to address the impact of crime while developing solutions for lowering crime statistics—is the subject of an upcoming conference at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Rochester Institute of Technology’s Department of Criminal Justice, College of Liberal Arts, and Partners in Restorative Initiatives present the 2014 Western New York Restorative Practices Conference, “Transformations: Empowering Youth and Communities Through Restorative Practices,” 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. April 9 and 10, in RIT’s Campus Center.

Speakers include:

• Kay Pranis, author, trainer and national leader in restorative justice specializing in peacemaking circles;
• Lauren Abramson, founding director of the Community Conferencing Center;
• sujatha baliga, director of the Restorative Justice Project at the National Council on Crime and Delinquency; and
• Carolyn Boyes-Watson, national trainer of restorative justice practices throughout New England.

Baliga will also present "Working With(in) Communities, Systems and Restorative Justice, " at 7 p.m. on April 9.

“Conference attendees will be able to hear from national experts and local leaders who are using restorative approaches to reconcile, heal and strengthen their own communities,” said LaVerne McQuiller Williams, chair of RIT’s criminal justice department. “We hope to inspire students to learn and grow using restorative practices, encourage community leaders to apply restorative practices to community issues, and empower citizens to actively play a role in restorative justice.”

Registration is $250 for both days; $125 for one day. Student rates are available. For more information or to register, go to the Partners in Restorative Initiatives website or contact Michelle Woodworth at Partners in Restorative Initiatives at 585-473-0970.