Restorative-justice director reports growing referrals, school and jail programs

Patrick Heen, Cheshire County’s director of restorative justice, presented a semiannual report on March 26 outlining referrals, program growth and community partnerships.

Heen said the program received five prosecutor referrals since Jan. 1; two victims accepted restorative options and those matters remain in pretrial status. He reported ongoing restorative learning dialogues inside the House of Corrections (five men and six women since January) and highlighted a former participant who completed the program and now serves as a co‑facilitator for the women’s group. “We’re not here to turn the system over. We’re here to collaborate within it as best we can,” Heen said.

Heen described school-based work at Keen High School, where restorative approaches are being used as an alternative to suspension, and said he will present on restorative justice at the UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law alongside a county prosecutor to show how restorative and prosecutorial perspectives can collaborate. He also described a new restorative parenting circle for single fathers run in partnership with home-health and hospice community services; Heen summarized the circle format (story rounds, values identification) and said participants reported feeling safe and not judged.

Commissioners asked for details about reach and outcomes; Heen said participation numbers are modest but growing and that program staff are building curriculum from participant stories and feedback. No formal funding changes or votes were taken at the meeting; Heen said he will provide updates as programs expand and referrals increase.