When Erica Washington was worn down from litigating death penalty cases, a local faith-based coalition introduced her to restorative justice diversion and her career trajectory shifted.

In this episode, Erica explains how her team supports communities across the country as they create pre-charge alternatives to incarceration. She also takes us inside the experience of accompanying participants through a Restorative Community Conferencing process.

Fueled by a desire to create off-ramps from racialized dehumanization in the criminal legal system, Erica believes strongly in the power of transforming pain into purpose — for individuals, communities, and systems.

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Stay connected with Catholic Mobilizing Network and our mission to end the death penalty, advance justice, and begin healing. Join our network at catholicsmobilizing.org

To learn more about how to build a pre-charge restorative justice diversion program, check out EJUSA’s Diversion Toolkit for Communities: restorativejustice.ejusa.org/

Join us for an introductory workshop on restorative justice. These three-hour virtual sessions are held throughout the year. Visit catholicsmobilizing.org/events