County commissioners to hold restorative justice training sessions

(Camden, NJ) – This month, Camden County, Camden City and the Camden City School District will be partnering with the nonprofit the Restorative Center, to provide free restorative justice training for community members, educators, students and stakeholders. Restorative justice is an approach to justice focused on communication and mediation rather than punishment to work towards the better well-being of victims, offenders and community members.

In 2021, legislation was passed to create four pilot sites for restorative justice implementation in Camden City, Trenton, Newark and Patterson.

“Our goal is to transform Camden into a city that resolves issues using diversionary strategies, rather than using the traditional methods used by the justice system,” Commissioner Jon Young said. “The most effective way to improve our community is to nurture community members and focus on rehabilitation. This is an all-hands-on deck effort with training being deployed to the county, the Prosecutors office, the courts, police, schools, organizations and community members.”

On Thursday, Jan. 19, a training session will be held for families at the Kroc Center in Camden from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be provided.

On Friday, Jan. 20, two training sessions will be held for community and system stakeholders in room 119-120 at the Florio Building. Session one runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and session two runs from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

To register for each session, visit www.therestorativecenter.org/restorative-justice-camden

“By focusing on the three main elements of restorative justice – encounter, repair and transform – we can create a clearer path to a more equitable community,” Young said.