The call of Catholic Restorative Justice Ministries encompasses an expansive task: to offer healing and support for everyone affected by crime and the criminal justice system - victims and their families, offenders and their families, legal and law-enforcement personnel, corrections personnel, chaplains and volunteers, policy makers and professionals, and communities where crime occurs. “Deten
tion ministry” began with the inception of the Diocese; and in 2004 with authorization from Bishop Walsh, it expanded in scope to include provision of “restorative justice” services. The ministry is designed to be led by a small staff, with its work done almost exclusively by volunteers. It receives limited funding from the Diocese, charitable donations, and proceeds of small fund-raisers. Because these resources have been limited, it, has been only able to serve a small minority of those in need in the Diocese, with services rendered mainly in Sonoma County. (See the sections on Environmental Analysis and Core Task Status.) The current staff includes a part-time executive director, a part-time outside services manager, and a part-time office manager. CRJM is now beginning to extend its work to the entire Diocese and to undertake these core tasks: victim support , inmate support, family support, re-entry support, justice system support, and community education and advocacy. Its means to achieve these tasks will involve parish-shared responsibility connection among parishes, and development of community resources. These linkages will be led and facilitated by the Restorative Justice office.
