Saturday,  May 19, 2012 • Vol. 12--No. 310 • 25 of 41 •  Other Editions

(Continued from page 24)

City-based Center for Restorative Justice to develop the sentencing circle. A new one would be formed for each case.
• "It's a lot like a talking circle," Red Owl said, referring to a traditional Native American process in which each member of the circle is allowed time to speak without interruption. "Everybody gets a chance to talk without interruption. It's done in a respectful way. It's confidential."
• Red Owl, who is also a proponent of peace making practices, acknowledged that sentencing circles take time -- the offender and victim have yet to be brought together in the case that started in February -- but she said the result will be worth it.

• "I think if we really want to better our communities, we have a responsibility of helping them. I think our penal system kind of falls short, especially in our court system where we don't have services. It's kind of a hit or miss," she said, noting that the tribal court does not have probation services. "With the sentencing circle, that's something that would help alleviate that because it would put that juvenile

(Continued on page 26)

© 2012 Groton Daily Independent • To send correspondence, click here.