Boulder County is celebrating a milestone in criminal justice as the Sheriff's Office marks the 25th anniversary of its Restorative Justice Program. Launched back in 2000, the program has sought to quickly provide a space where victims, offenders, and community members can collaboratively address crime's impact and work toward healing. According to the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, over a thousand individuals have passed through the program, contributing to a stronger, more connected community.
As obtained by the Boulder County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Johnson explained, "Restorative justice is about more than responding to crime, it’s about building understanding and restoring trust." The program puts collaboration and dialogue at the forefront, eschewing traditionally punitive measures for a process centered on responsibility and repair. Even though approaching crime this way might seem to go lightly at first, the intention is to foster deeper responsibility and healing.
The anniversary celebration included an event at the sheriff's office with speeches by key figures, including former sheriff George Epp, who was in office when the program began. Epp's tenure saw the genesis of what would grow to become a cornerstone of Boulder County's approach to criminal justice reform. "Reaching this milestone shows the power of community-based solutions and the character of our amazing volunteers," Restorative Justice Program Coordinator Devi Suess said, as per the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.
