“That old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves everybody blind.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
 
This week Rotarians learn more about an alternative, when CSU Professor and Rotarian Bill Timpson introduces Perrie McMillen and Sue Mateer to discuss restorative justice theory and practice in Fort Collins.   Retributive justice places a primary emphasis on punishment. Restorative justice places a primary emphasis on rehabilitating the offender, the victim, and the community.  Read more...
 
Restorative justice theory and programs have emerged over the past 35 years as an increasingly influential world-wide alternative to criminal justice practice.  Fort Collins two Restorative Justice Programs have served more than 2,700 young people, their families and others since 2000. 
 
Perrie A. McMillen has a BA in Communications from the University of Idaho, and has been director of the City of Fort Collins Mediation & Restorative Justice Services for 16 years.  She helped draft the Colorado Restorative Justice Facilitator Standards and Code of Conduct and helped design and implement The RESTORE Program for young people with shoplifting theft offenses.  Perrie has served 4 years on the Colorado State Restorative Justice Council and has presented numerous times at Restorative Justice conferences and events while training RJ volunteers.  She has lived in Fort Collins since 1984, is married and the mother/stepmother of six children ages 13-30.
 
Sue Mateer received her PhD in education from Colorado State University, and has 30 years of experience in law enforcement; 10 years as a school resource officer, and 20 years in restorative practices, mediation, and conflict resolution.  She is a trainer/lecturer interested in trauma recovery, resiliency and mindfulness.  Sue has two children, and travels and volunteers around the world.