FRIDLEY, Minn. – (Sept. 22, 2016) – The Compassion Action Network is a joint effort of Anoka County Human Services, faith communities and non-profit organizations that work together. They help people discover the value of their own gifts when connected with the gifts of others. At one of their recent events, they spoke of restorative justice practices and how they can transform our community. “In the regular system we ask three questions, what was the crime, who did it, and what’s the punishment. In restorative justice we ask the questions, what is the harm, who is affected by it, and what needs to be done to make things right,” said Minnesota Department of Education restorative practices specialist Nancy Riestenberg.
The event brought together people from many different professional fields who were all interested in learning more an working together. “Human beings are wired to be in relationship. It’s what ensures our safety and ensures our survival. When somebody hurts someone else that jeopardizes that relationship and we want to repair those relationships so that the community is strong, so that everyone’s contributing. It’s less expensive for one thing but it’s also a better use of our resources that have people be able to fix their mistakes early on so you don’t have bigger mistakes later, so you don’t have more hurt later,” said Riestenberg.
The Anoka County Attorney’s Office is one organization in the area with a restorative justice initiative.
