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Juveniles who have been found guilty of an offense may be court ordered to participate in a Community Impact Panel.  The goal of an impact panel is to hold a juvenile offender accountable for his or her actions through the utilization of restorative justice practices.

Impact panels are comprised of volunteers from within the local community, such as law enforcement, service agencies, school officials, businesses and community members. The volunteer plays a vital role in helping the juvenile better understand how their actions can impact their future as well as the lives of others.  Volunteers will often share first hand accounts of experiences they may have had with juvenile crime.

By holding offenders accountable for their actions we can help deter future offending and help strengthen our communities through volunteer involvement.

The following information is meant to help guide you in better understanding the Community Impact Panel process: 

Panel Volunteers:

• Volunteers are selected from a diverse group of community members including:  business members/ employers, service providers, faith based organizations, victim/ victims family member, and community youth

• Volunteers are contacted approximately 3 weeks prior to the panel date

• Selection is based on volunteer availability and panel needs

• Confidentiality agreements are required prior to participation

• Volunteers are expected to address the crime committed and impact it has on the community and offender

Offender Selection:

• Offenders must have admitted guilt

• Offenders may be court involved and ordered to attend at the time of sentencing

• Offenders may be participating in diversion programming and required to attend as a contract requirement

The Panel:

• Community Impact Panels take place every other month

• Panels rotate between the Byron Public Library and the Rochelle Flagg Township Building

• Panels begin at 6:00 p.m. and last approximately 1.5 hours

 

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer or have more questions regarding Community Impact Panels please contact Elaine Carow at (815) 501-0631.