Principles of Restorative Community Pathways
This work is about building and holding accountable and caring relationships
Returning Power to Communities
RCP is invested in removing power from the state and returning that power to communities
Liberating Youth
RCP acts in opposition of the court system’s disempowerment of youth by centering youth’s agency and liberation
Centering Healing
RCP is based in the reality that punishment does not resolve harm in our communities. We are dedicated to the healing and restoration of our communities.
Dismantling Oppression
RCP is being designed to actively dismantle white supremacy, settler-colonialism, patriarchy, and other forms of oppression that the criminal system perpetuates
RCP’s end goal is ABOLITION
We are building from years of community organizing and work to build community solutions to harm that do not rely on punishment
What is RCP?
A community response to harm that focuses on healing and restoration
Rather than being prosecuted with a crime through the punitive and harmful court system, RCP will be designed by and center youth and community members to address their needs and provide them with community support. This work centers those most impacted by the criminal legal system, seeking to dismantle oppression and promote healing.
A move towards healing instead of punishment: breaking the victim/perpetrator binary
RCP works to actively challenge how the legal system understands safety in our community— rather than a focus on punishment, RCP recognizes that all individuals are deserving of healing and restoration. RCP supports all those involved in situations of harm, providing them with resources, community supports, and restorative practices in order to ensure that all those involved are supported and able to move forward.
An intentionally designed process from youth and communities throughout the county
The King County Council has approved the development and implementation of RCP. Throughout 2021, over 70 people from all over King County came together to share their brilliance in designing RCP. These individuals, the majority of which were youth, come from a broad range of experiences and were paid for their design of this work