School Justice Report
In October 2020, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office brought together educators, school district officials, parent- and student-led community organizations, restorative justice practitioners, academic researchers, community-based service providers, state government leaders, and other interested community members committed to addressing school justice issues. The roundtable discussed a range of topics, including several model restorative justice programs and areas for public policy improvement. The Attorney General’s Office convened the roundtable as part of our commitment to improving the criminal justice system and to determine how best Colorado can address concerns related to school justice. The report, linked below, captures key takeaways from the roundtable, supplemented with research from relevant academic sources and other stakeholders across Colorado.
Read the report here.
School Justice Innovation Grant
Improving the criminal justice system and protecting public safety is a top priority for the Colorado Attorney General’s Office. One crucial element of that mission is reducing what is sometimes referred to as the “school-to-prison pipeline.” The Department of Law announced several grants awarded in 2020 to support programs promoting positive school justice partnerships. Funds will support entities in starting and developing innovative programming to achieve any or all of the following objectives:
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- Reduce the level of youth incarceration in Colorado;
- Develop sound and effective alternatives to practices that lead to criminal records and incarceration, which could include restorative practices, restorative justice, and diversion programs;
- Develop programming that ensures a safe learning environment but also, when possible, supports practices alternative to the severe exclusionary consequences of suspension or expulsion; and
- Ensure the equitable application of school discipline practices across economic, gender, racial, and ethnic groups.
Awardees
Collaborative Healing Initiative within Communities—Denver
Full Circle Restorative Justice—Salida
Generation Schools Network—Denver
Impact Empowerment Group—Denver
La Plata Youth Services—La Plata County
