STATE OF MAINE
_____
IN THE YEAR OF OUR LORD
TWO THOUSAND TWENTY-FOUR
_____
JOINT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE
LEGISLATURE'S SUPPORT FOR A RESEARCH PROJECT
TO ANALYZE THE USE OF RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
PRACTICES IN ADULT DRUG TREATMENT COURT IN
PROSECUTORIAL DISTRICT NUMBER 6
WHEREAS, numerous studies and experiences have shown that restorative justice is a
valuable tool in addressing substance use disorder and other mental health conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Corrections has entered into contracts totaling hundreds
of thousands of dollars with restorative justice organizations to address juvenile offenses, many
of which involve substance use; and
WHEREAS, the Honorable John Martin of the Wiscasset District Court has employed
restorative justice practices in the Region 6 Adult Drug Treatment Court, which serves Knox
County, Waldo County, Lincoln County and Sagadahoc County; and
WHEREAS, the success of Judge Martin's use of restorative justice practices has drawn
the interest of 2 restorative justice professors at the Vermont Law and Graduate School, who
with other practitioners have begun planning a research project to create a statewide model for
Maine from Judge Martin's protocols; and
WHEREAS, funding for the 3-year research project has already been obtained; and
WHEREAS, this research project may show that restorative justice offers bright hope for
the State's overcrowded courts, jails and prisons; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Thirty-first Legislature now
assembled in the Second Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this
opportunity to strongly express our support for the research project being planned by Marc
Wennberg and Robert Sand of the Vermont Law and Graduate School, and we look forward to
the findings they will present to the joint standing committee of the Legislature having
jurisdiction over criminal justice and public safety matters upon completion of the project.
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