Our Restorative Justice program works to restore faith for those who are penitent as they seek a fresh start with a greater sense of self-awareness and self-efficacy.

 

Our program starts “inside the walls.” Our mission is to assist ex-offenders who are likely to enter poverty upon release. Since 2016, our programs provide supportive services to help recently released citizens start fresh.​ Our purpose is to help ex-offenders who are predisposed to homelessness and indigence to identify and address their needs and problems prior to release. Restorative Justice will be the tool to help the participants regain their relationships with their families, their communities, and the professional world in which they live.

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The first barrier addressed is the challenge that returning citizens have in proving their identity. They are often without a basic, state-issued picture identification card that allows them access to employment, medication, treatment, or housing are available to them. Through our established partnerships, we ensure that every person we serve reenters society with essential, critical documents.

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We are one of very few organizations that has taken on the challenge to assist people who have been incarcerated, have served their designated sentences and are penitent. The overall goal is for our participants to begin living more accountable, stable lives. The skills we teach enable citizens to move forward and not be at risk of homelessness, and to secure needed employment, treatment and engage in society.

 

In 2023 The South Carolina Department of Corrections had the lowest recidivism rate in the US at 21.9%. Governor Henry McMaster highlighted this statistic during a news conference, as well as highlighting Catholic Charities' efforts in helping reduce that number. At the time, from those individuals who participated in the Restorative Justice program only 8.97% returned to prison in comparison to the 21.9% state average.

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Once a month Restorative Justice holds a Redemption Day for re-entry individuals providing community supports and resources.

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For more information, contact:

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Shawn Roberson

Director of Restorative Justice / Re-Entry Services

sroberson@charlestondiocese.org

803-726-7769