Education Is Primarily How We Implement
Restorative Justice Principles

Educating, empowering, and encouraging justice-impacted individuals are at the core of R&RA’s mission.  Our programs and services reflect those commitments.

In-Prison Programming

Regular Programs

R&RA offers small-group classes to incarcerated individuals housed at the California Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino, one of California’s 30 state prisons for adults.  Using curriculum we have researched, written, and provided for each session, the classes emphasize social-emotional development in “talking circles” – a common restorative justice practice that promotes respect, inclusion, and non-judgmentalness.  The current programs we offer and provide include:

  1. Anger, Insight & Resilience (AIR):  16 weekly sessions

  2. Proof of Life (PoL): 52 weekly sessions. Includes “culminating experiences” of participation in repair and reconciliation projects determined by the students.

  3. Life Together (LT): 52 weekly sessions designed and facilitated intentionally for the so-called “San Quentin arrivals” who came to CIM in 2024 from Death Row.

COMING IN 2026:

  • Restorative Justice Academy: 52 weekly sessions that focus on trauma, anger, shame, insight, resilience, recovery, and Restorative Justice.

Special Events

National Crime Victims Rights Week

Working with students in the Proof of Life class,  whose curriculum is jointly developed and has been co-facilitated by R&RA staff and other incarcerated RJ students – we host an “In-Prison Forum” for National Crime Victims Rights Week (https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/national-crime-victims-rights-week/overview).

 

The 2026 NCVRW event at CIM will take place on Tuesday, April 21, 2026,  with approximately 35 community members and college students invited to join the 15 incarcerated students in carefully framed conversations about harm, healing, and how best to support victims and survivors of crime.  This annual event may feature keynote speakers and/or forum discussions in later years.

Special Projects

R&RA appreciates opportunities to collaborate with incarcerated students from our classes, as well as with nearby community groups, on projects that emphasize and promote the “Five R’s” of Restorative Justice.  For example, in 2026 we are:

  • Working with some of the LGBTQIA+ incarcerated students to host “LGBTQIA+ Community Building” sessions at which representatives from various outside organizations will come in for conversation with the students, coordinated by our facilitators. 
  • Sponsoring the Proof of Life class’s 2026 Peace Crane Project (https://peacecraneproject.org/), a global initiative to promote peace around the world.

Empowering & Encouraging

“Building a FORT”

Our Focus On Reintegration Together is one way in which R&RA provides individualized empowerment and encouragement to individuals returning to their communities after incarceration -- particularly after long-term incarceration.  A FORT serves as a circle of support and guidance based on restorative justice principles and practices.

Uniquely co-created by/for each individual client, the FORT empowers that person to work with us to invite one or more family members, resource providers, and other organizations and agencies to help them face challenges, difficult choices, and an often-complicated transition. R&RA staff provides customized coaching on cell phone apps and operation, e-mail etiquette, money management, transportation and housing options, and other life skills.

Community-Based Classes

Beginning in 2026, R&RA will also be working with Multidimensional Anti-Recidivism Partnership Programs (MAPS) provided in local communities by Community Solutions, Inc. (CSI). Our evidence-based approach to services and resourcing is a great fit for individuals or groups that can benefit from our community-oriented use of restorative practices.

Legal Assistance

R&RA is able to offer legal expertise and assistance to justice-impacted individuals thanks to Mr. James “Sharif” Menefield, who also serves as a valued officer of our organization.  In particular, he offers opportunities for justice-impacted people to obtain his legal help with various administrative filings, habeas corpus petitions, and legal research for appellate briefs. 

A highly skilled and experienced individual, Mr. Menefield (james.menefield@menefieldlaw.com) did his paralegal training while incarcerated, earning an A.A. degree (as Valedictorian of his graduating Chaffey College class) and also amassing a variety of other credentials while at CIM. Since returning to the outside world, Mr. Menefield has obtained his Document Assistant Certificate and established Menefield Superior Paralegal Services.  He is also currently attending CSU Los Angeles to complete a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies.

Please e-mail rrallianceinfo@gmail.com with any legal questions or service needs you may have. R&RA reserves the right to request a fee for Mr. Menefield’s services; if we do charge, we will aim to keep such fees as low as are reasonably possible.

Clearing Your Record: Expungement Clinics

R&RA is available to host criminal record Expungement Clinics at easily accessible sites in Los Angeles County and throughout the Inland Empire.  Our legal consultant, Mr. James Menefield, and others will provide help to individuals seeking to clear their records of prior arrests and convictions.  This work reflects our commitment to personal and community empowerment and the support of legal rehabilitation.

For adults, the expungement process allows for the dismissal of most misdemeanor charges and for the downgrading of certain felony charges under certain conditions, provided that all probation terms have been satisfied. Expungement also offers a legal pathway to either erase or conceal juvenile court records, although local law enforcement and certain federal agencies may retain access under specific circumstances. Expungement can unlock new possibilities in careers, housing, education, and other areas of life by eliminating the obstacles associated with having a criminal record.

Participants must not be in violation of any law, on parole, or on probation. Attendees are urged to bring pertinent case documents, such as court records and minute orders, to aid the expungement process.