As a member of the Virginia Restorative Justice Policy Coalition, I am writing to share Central Virginia Community Justice's support for HB489, the restorative justice confidentiality bill.
We believe it is imperative to enact this confidentiality law. It will provide assurance to restorative justice participants and practitioners, as well as attorneys across the state, that private information will be protected when people engage in the vulnerable RJ process. We know that the legal assurance of confidentiality matters for defense attorneys advising their clients whether to participate; for victim/witness when supporting survivors who are deciding whether to engage; and for each person who shares their personal experience during an RJ circle.
Personally, I have seen many cases where restorative justice participants express relief and improved well-being at the conclusion of their case, but do not want to share the specifics of what was said in a courtroom or with their attorney. I want our program, and others across the state, to be able to offer full assurance and protection to our participants that they will not have to; and that our staff can also keep their personal information confidential.
In Charlottesville/Albemarle, we are lucky to have strong support from our Commonwealth's Attorney Offices, and a Memorandum of Understanding that affirms confidentiality for restorative justice cases. But we know that it would be even more secure to have this protection encoded into law. Please support HB489.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Ashley Cinalli-Mathews
Executive Director
Central Virginia Community Justice
As a member of the Virginia Restorative Justice Policy Coalition, I am writing to share Central Virginia Community Justice's support for HB489, the restorative justice confidentiality bill. We believe it is imperative to enact this confidentiality law. It will provide assurance to restorative justice participants and practitioners, as well as attorneys across the state, that private information will be protected when people engage in the vulnerable RJ process. We know that the legal assurance of confidentiality matters for defense attorneys advising their clients whether to participate; for victim/witness when supporting survivors who are deciding whether to engage; and for each person who shares their personal experience during an RJ circle. Personally, I have seen many cases where restorative justice participants express relief and improved well-being at the conclusion of their case, but do not want to share the specifics of what was said in a courtroom or with their attorney. I want our program, and others across the state, to be able to offer full assurance and protection to our participants that they will not have to; and that our staff can also keep their personal information confidential. In Charlottesville/Albemarle, we are lucky to have strong support from our Commonwealth's Attorney Offices, and a Memorandum of Understanding that affirms confidentiality for restorative justice cases. But we know that it would be even more secure to have this protection encoded into law. Please support HB489. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Ashley Cinalli-Mathews Executive Director Central Virginia Community Justice