Coretta Scott King reminds us, “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.”  In a year when the needs in our communities are so stark and many, may we each be informed compassionate citizens as we decide who to support with whatever financial resources we have.

The Restorative Justice Project of Maine delivers some of the most valuable service to community.  The Knox Country Board of Commissioners will meet soon to determine their allocations for 2021.  I urge them to support RJP.

For over a dozen years I have been an RJP volunteer serving both as a mentor and circle facilitator.  When I began word about restorative justice was just around getting around in midcoast Maine. What thrills me today is the widespread support and involvement restorative justice practices have from Knox County teachers and principals, local police and prison personnel, Sheriff Carroll, lawyers, judges, District Attorney Irving and an amazing corps of citizen volunteers. No denying there is a collective hunger to solve problems, care for one another better, and break down punitive, ineffective responses to misbehavior and crime that fail to address the root causes of behavior or to meet the needs of those harmed.  In response to this hunger the Restorative Justice Project has been providing leadership to our community for fifteen years.

The Project cannot financially do this alone.  With a braided funding strategy, asking numerous agencies, municipalities, grantors and citizens to give what they can, we collectively build robust restorative practices throughout the community that are proactive, and hold all accountable for their behavior.  

So what can the Commissioners support?  Early on the Waldo County Jail was transformed into the Reentry Center, a place where men ending their time of incarceration were supported by staff and community volunteers in the work of reintegrating into the community as productive citizens.  Today there are plans for a similar approach in Knox County.  We have learned so much since the Belfast Center opened, from the experience there, best practices from similar facilities around the country, and from the relationships with those who have been incarcerated and are desirous of changing the trajectory of their lives. Funds from the Commissioners would help transform this Knox County conversation into a reality.

Those who have taught me the most in my experience as a volunteer are the women, men and their families who whom I have a relationship.  They have invited me to to sit, laugh, cry and work along side them as they did the hard work of being honest and vulnerable about their actions that harmed others, the conditions of their lives and the needs they have that will enable them to make the changes they desire.  Be assured,  these changes will benefit many, their daughters and sons, parents, friends and our communities.

I urge the Knox Country Commissioners to be among the informed, compassionate citizens Ms. King speaks of and support the Restorative Justice Project in your 2021 allocations.

 Judy Mullins lives in Owls Head