A peacemaking or sentencing circle is an alternative to incarceration. It is a community directed process in partnership with the criminal justice system which develops individual sentencing plans that attempt to repair the harm caused to the victim and community. The idea of involving government officials in the circle process was developed extensively in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Canada's Yukon territory. Its use spread to the United States in 1996 when a pilot project was initiated in Minnesota. The main goals are to provide an opportunity for the offender to make amends and to empower victims, community members, families, and offenders by giving them a voice and a shared responsibility in finding constructive resolutions.
Several steps lead up to the Sentencing Circle.
Both parties must be willing participants. Support groups are created and Healing Circles are held individually for the vic-tim and offender. Later, a Sentencing Circle convenes to agree on a sentencing plan. Follow-up circles monitor the progress of the offender. The plan may incorporate restitution, community service, substance abuse treatment, and skill-building classes for offenders as well as commitments by the legal system, community, or family.