16 March 2007 Press Release

CONTACTS: Lauren Abramson, Ph.D., Executive Director Community Conferencing Center, Baltimore cell phone: 410-889-7400 info-AT-communityconferencing.org)

SENATORS TO VOTE ON NONVIOLENT CONFLICT RESOLUTION BILL 823

Juveniles are 60% less likely to re-offend if they participate in community conferencing, according to a 2004 study conducted by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. Results like these have prompted Dr. Lauren Abramson, founder and Executive Director of Baltimore’s Community Conferencing Center, to join with a panel of supporters at an Annapolis meeting with Maryland Senators on March 20th in support of MD SB 823, establishing a task force to promote nonviolent and peaceful ways to resolve conflict throughout Maryland.

“Within the context of an overburdened and costly criminal justice system,” Abramson explained, “it is essential that legislation recognize the many proven and effective conflict resolution programs employed throughout the state of Maryland.”

Abramson’s Community Conferencing Center has served over 6,000 Baltimore residents during the past ten years with an effective court diversion program offering alternatives to juvenile criminal offenses, intractable neighborhood disputes and to school suspension and arrest, at less than 1/10th the cost of court.

The Center serves as a state-wide training and technical assistance “hub” for six other Maryland jurisdictions now offering similar community conferencing initiatives.

“Community conferencing increases the chance for repairing the harm, and decreases the possibility of repeat offenders,” said Abramson. “The community conferencing approach relieves strain on a criminal justice system which is costly and not always as effective in preventing re-offending.”

Abramson will be joined in her efforts by Maryland State Department of Peace Coordinator Ted Nunn and others lobbying for a task force promoting nonviolent means for resolving crimes and conflicts in Maryland. Abramson urged Maryland citizens to voice their opinions on nonviolent alternatives to their Senators.

“The good news,” said Abramson, “is that we have the social technology to fix these problems. Now all we need is the will to do so.”

# # # For more information, please contact the individuals above, or Nancy Pace, Maryland State Media Coordinator for the Department of Peace Campaign, at 301-788-6642 (nancy-AT-DOPMD.org).