We counsel them on their problems and try to boost their self-esteem and tell them they're good at something. After more than 10 years, the Genesee Justice system has widespread community support. It took some time to build that support because involving the community in so many aspects of the justice system was a radical departure from the norm, Dennis says. There is a real sense of community ownership of the process, Dennis says. In addition, the county's justice officials are fully behind the approach.
Sentences can now be tailor-made instead of one or two sentences fit all.
Judges can now get valuable input from the victims of crimes concerning their viewpoint. Often as judges, we make assumptions about how a victim feels, and just as often we are wrong. Now we no longer have to guess. We can get this first-hand information before sentencing. Other jurisdictions are beginning to see that this approach works.