GCC Finalizes Partnership With DA Deborah Gonzalez' Office

December 6, 2022

It’s official!  GCC is moving forward with our formal partnership with District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez’ office to offer a restorative justice diversion pathway for certain high level misdemeanor and felony juvenile cases.  According to the press release related to the Memorandum of Understanding that DA Gonzalez and GCC Executive Director, Danny Malec, signed on November 16:

“This program highlights the viewpoint of the DA’s office that restorative justice and diversion programming are essential components of an effective justice system. Restorative justice is the evidence-backed philosophy that focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large, in which the offender takes accountability for their actions in an effort to repair harm and prevent it from happening again. This method has shown high satisfaction rates for offenders, victims, and the overall communities in which restorative justice is practiced.”

As we begin to receive and facilitate restorative justice diversion cases, we will look forward to sharing more information.  In the meantime, feel free to take a look at some of the recent press that we have received about this restorative justice diversion program:

Athens Banner Herald

11-Alive News Atlanta

DA Gonzalez’ Interview with WGAU’s Alexia Ridley

other blogs and recommended reading

What GCC Means to Me

A parent shares how restorative practices enhanced his relationship with his child and students.

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Do Restorative Practices Work?

Schools that implemented Restorative Practices saw a staggering 35% reduction of student arrests in school, and a 15% reduction in out-of-school arrests (the University of Chicago Education lab).

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What GCC Means to Us at The Cottage

Linnea Ionno, executive director at The Cottage, shares how accepting the inevitability of conflict and building skills help her organization navigate both internal and external conflicts.

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Suffolk District Attorney to Pilot Restorative Justice Program

Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Hayden is piloting a restorative justice program in Chelsea District Court and the Charlestown and Roxbury divisions of Municipal Court.

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Restorative Justice Resolves Alleged Assault at Indiana Lake

Restorative justice was successfully used for one of the first times in Indiana to remediate a legal confrontation.

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Jabari Cobb

Jabari Cobb, the Director of Behavior Supports & Discipline for Clarke County School District, shares the impact that GCC has made--school by school--and how his involvement with restorative practices has strengthened.

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