Reducing Recidivism through Restorative Justice: Hang Time’s Bold Strategy for Empowering Justice-Impacted Individuals and Driving Sustainable Change

This book tells the story of Hang Time, a grassroots, community-based program to reduce violence and recidivism amongst returning citizens in Connecticut, and how its model can be used in restorative justice efforts across the country. Featuring stories of Hang Time participants, this volume illustrate the impact a supportive and safe environment has on ex-offenders, their families, friends, and community during re-entry. It offers examples of successful programming elements, such as: • Creating a safe space for people to share their experiences and issues • Developing an community for people of different ages, backgrounds and community roles • Identifying and utilizing community resources • Furthering community engagement via training of new correctional officers, police, and state prosecutors during their career on-boarding. This volume is the ideal resource for individuals, groups, and organizations aiming to humanize justice-involved individuals and programing, including: community organizations and funders, policy makers, social services, members within the judicial, law enforcement, corrections, students, and non-profit community leaders.