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| Coordinator Leads Re-entry Program |
| By The Reformer |
| Published: 11/14/2005 |
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A new Vermont coordinator has been hired to head the criminal re-entry program at the Brattleboro Community Justice Center. Dolores Root stepped on board last Friday, and hopes to connect with people and organizations around the area as the program develops. Thanks to a $2 million federal grant issued to the Vermont Department of Corrections, the state is leading the nation in a creative effort to improve the correctional facilities. Rather than looking at the jails themselves, the restorative justice program focuses on integrating criminals back into society and helping them shed the stigma that often comes with doing time. "For me it's about building community. That's a big part of restorative justice," Root said. A former Brattleboro resident, Root headed the Brattleboro Museum and Art Center from 1984 to 1987, and was recently working as an independent consultant for cultural and educational programs in Shelburne Falls, Mass., when she accepted the job. Although working with offenders will be a new challenge for her, Justice Center Director Ariel Brugger said it is Root's experience in collaboration that makes her valuable. Together with the offender, Root will work with social service agencies, family members and community members to help the offender find housing and employment, build life skills, gain acceptance with neighbors and break down many of the other barriers that often get in the way of re-entry. "I have done a lot of work with communities," Root said. She said she's spent the last 20 years creating public forums to increase citizen involvement in many cultural and educational projects, such as establishing after-school programs for inner-city youth. As Root takes the reins, the Restorative Justice Center is also hosting a film festival at the Latchis Theatre, beginning tonight. "I think it is a great way for the center to begin to have a higher profile in the community." she said. |
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