For a decade the Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast has worked to change the ways society responds to crime and bad behavior, favoring accountability and repair rather than punishment, with services encompassing Waldo, Knox, Sagadahoc and Lincoln counties.

RJP's three new board members come to that work from widely differing experiences, but they are on the same page about the need for change. The three are Mike McFadden, Belfast's police chief; Dottie Odell, who has been active in a range of civic activities since moving to the city seven years ago; and Bob Gallo, a retired lawyer who moved to Belfast last year with his artist wife, Julie Cyr.

McFadden began a recent conversation around a table at Bay Wrap by saying, “The best definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Our (criminal justice) system is doing just that and not getting different results.”

Though he is new to the philosophy of restorative justice, the chief said he is already using its precepts in interviewing people suspected of committing crimes. “I say, 'Look. You messed up, but there's a way to get back to normal.’ I explain the whole process of restorative justice, and I can see as they walk away from the interview that they know there are people working to do that. That's a step in the right direction.”

Gallo, who practiced law in Maine and New Hampshire for 30 years, said, “I'm not an absolute believer in redemption; sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Maybe it doesn't work so well in big cities, but it can work here.” He said, “We have to let people who commit crimes know they don't have to leave society forever. They're not lost or branded or driven out. I have four kids, and I can't imagine saying to them they can never come back.”

Odell has served on the RSU 20 school board, where state law mandates suspension of a minimum of a month when a student is caught selling marijuana in school. Board members have no choice, even when they know it is not in the best interest of the child, but to lock the student out.  Odell said, “One member of the school board who was an RJP volunteer said something like, 'You shouldn't push these kids away — you need to keep them close!' and what he said has stayed with me.”

“Society likes to put people in categories, like felon and non-felon. We put criminals in the 'other' category from ourselves and see no possibility for change. We put them in prisons that can cause insanity in the normal person. What good is that?”

McFadden, Odell and Gallo join a board that currently has 11 members and is growing. Board Chairman Jay Davis of Belfast, a retired journalist, said, “We are fortunate to have knowledgeable, clear-headed people like Dottie, Bob and Mike to help us expand the use of restorative practices in the Mid Coast. We have made important strides forward in our 10 years of service, and we're poised to be even more influential in the future.”

McFadden urged the community to get involved with both the police department and RJP. “The community needs to play a role itself,” he said. ”This is one of the most forgiving places anywhere. There's a lot more we can do for those who make bad decisions and run afoul of the law, including opportunities for employment, housing and transportation.

Those who want to donate to RJP, become a volunteer, or learn more about its programs are urged to call 338-2742 and talk with volunteer coordinator, Hanlon Kelly, at extension 101.

Support for the Restorative Justice Project is provided by state and local entities. These include the Maine Department of Corrections, Volunteers of America, the Lerner Foundation, Elizabeth Ann Leach Charitable Trust, Bangor Savings Bank, United Mid Coast Charities and the Maine Community Foundation as well as individual donors.

For more information, contact the RJP office at 207-338-2742, info@rjpmidcoast.org or go to www.rjpmidcoast.org.