The Criminal Justice Working Group seeks to reform our current system in order to better serve the individual and the community. We advocate for policy which focuses on rehabilition instead of retribution. We view restorative justice as an essential component in the healing of both victim and offender. This year our involvements are threefold:
1) October as Criminal Justice Month
2) Membership in Second Chance Coalition
3) Participate in Second Chance Day on the Hill (2012 date to be announced)
4) 11th Day Prayer for Peace
Established in 2002 as Criminal Justice Week in the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis in response to the statement by the U. S. Catholic Bishops: Responsibility, Rehabilitation, and Restoration: A Catholic Perspective on Crime and Criminal Justice (2000). In the year 2006, it was extended to Criminal Justice Month.
Each Sunday commemoration is at the option of each faith community to select as their time to acknowledge the observance. Petitions for the Pryaers of the People which can be included on any of the Sundays are below (scroll down).
What is our Responsibility to those who have been harmed and to those who are returning from prisons or jails to our Communities?
- Who are those who have been harmed?
- How do we know who they are?
- How do we make if safe for them and their families to identify themselves?
- How do we welcome them?
- How do we support them?
- Who are those returning to community?
- How do we know who they are?
- How do we make it safe for them and their families to identify themselves?
- How do we welcome them?
- How do we support them?
- How do we as a community prepare ourselves?
- … our hearts?
- … our minds?
- … our attitudes?
- … our courage?
- How do we make visible our responses to these invitations?
- For all affected by crime: victims, offenders and their communities…we pray…
- That healing will come to the hearts of those who have been harmed and to those who have caused harm…we pray…
- For the resolution of poverty, ageism, classism and racism that influence criminal behavior…we pray…
- For communities that are feeling discouraged because of high crime rates, that their neighborhood well-being will be restored…we pray…
- For elected officials that they may recognize the long term effects of their decisions…we pray…
- For blessings upon peacemakers who seek to restore relationships in their communities…we pray…
- For us, that we may be able to disarm our hearts and be a welcoming community…we pray…
Create the Change You Want -- VOTE!
Please make plans now for voting next Tuesday November 2nd. Below are the answers to some questions you might have:
Where do I go?
Here is a link to the polling place finder: Poll Finder It will also provide a list of candidates. Most polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
What do I need?
Nothing if you are already registered. If not, you can register when you go to vote. Here is a link to information about what you will need to register on election day: Election Day Registration
What if I don’t have a ride?
Call the Rides Hotline at 1-877-50-RIDES.
What if I have been convicted of a felony?
Your right to vote in Minnesota is automatically restored once all the terms, including any probation or parole period, of your felony sentence are complete (even if the conviction was federal or from another state).
Even if you are "off paper," the county elections office may not have been notified that your civil rights have been restored. In this case, there may be a note on the list of voters at the polling place directing the election judge to challenge your eligibility to vote. If so, explain that you have completed your sentence and your civil rights have been restored. The election judge may require you to swear an oath that your rights have been restored, before allowing you to vote
What if I have more questions?
Call 1-866-OUR-VOTE (1-866-687-8683) for any questions you have.
Sarah Walker
Chief Operating Officer
180 Degrees, Inc.
236 Clifton Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55403-3466
sarahw@180degrees.org
612.813.5017 office
612.220.2070 cell
612.813.5039 fax
www.180degrees.org
Criminal Justice Resources and Links
Criminal Justice Month Litany
Criminal Justice Month Prayer
Homily Hints (coming soon)
What is Restorative Justice? (coming soon)
Amicususa.org ( Click on Volunteer and Job Opportunities)
updated: 9/15/11
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