Transforming Reentry: Going Home For Good

The Conflict Centered Resolution (CCR) organization provides vital training and services focused on healing, accountability, and reducing violence through restorative justice practices. Operating out of a central location, CCR offers a broad range of programs including Interpersonal Conflict Resolution and Mediation training, ReThink Conflict (a new approach to anger management), Circle Processes, Trauma Awareness and Resilience training, Community Accountability Boards, and Reentry Circles. These services aim to provide individuals and communities with tools to resolve disputes peacefully and rebuild relationships harmed by conflict.

Partnership With Missouri Department Of Corrections

CCR has partnered with the Missouri Department of Corrections (MODOC) to establish the Restorative Reentry Community (RRC) at the Transition Center of Kansas City (TCKC). CCR oversees this innovative program, which supports both residents and staff by promoting restorative justice principles focused on dignity, healing, and accountability. The RRC prepares incarcerated individuals for successful reentry into the community by teaching them life-changing skills in conflict resolution, mediation, and trauma resilience.

CCR provides comprehensive training at TCKC, including a 12-hour CORE Conflict Resolution Training for all staff and residents, advanced training for residents, and refresher sessions for staff. Additional instruction in Circle Processes, Trauma Awareness, Mediation, and Restorative Justice practices further supports the program’s goal of fostering prosocial behavior and reducing violence within the facility and beyond. CCR staff also offer coaching and mentoring to assist participants throughout their journey.

The Need For Restorative Justice & Reentry Support

The United States has a staggering 2 million people incarcerated and nearly 5 million more on probation or parole, reflecting a system of mass incarceration that perpetuates racial and social injustices. Research reveals that the traditional retributive justice model—focused on punishment—fails to prevent repeat offenses, with recidivism rates exceeding 65% within three years of release. This cycle of incarceration often results in further harm, fractured families, and community instability. Notably, one in every 14 children in the U.S. has a parent in prison, increasing their likelihood of incarceration sixfold.

James Gilligan, a noted expert on violence, argues that prison is the most powerful stimulant of violence ever discovered, a fact echoed by prison officials and policymakers who acknowledge that incarceration alone does not produce safer communities. In contrast, educational and rehabilitative programs that focus on cognitive-behavioral change have been shown to reduce recidivism by over 50%, and restorative justice programs like CCR’s Restorative Reentry Community have demonstrated reductions in reoffending by up to 83%.

Addressing Violence In Kansas City

Violence related to unresolved conflicts continues to be a serious concern in Kansas City. Over the past 20 years, the leading motive for homicide in the city has consistently been disputes that escalate due to a lack of peaceful conflict resolution skills, often resulting in gun violence. The city experienced a record number of homicides last year, highlighting the urgent need for effective interventions.

CCR’s Transforming Reentry program gives participants alternative dispute resolution tools that help them resolve disagreements peacefully, reducing the likelihood of violence. The Restorative Reentry Community not only teaches these skills but also connects residents with more than 50 community partners who provide essential reentry services to support successful transitions back into society.

Innovative Restorative Justice Models

The RRC incorporates proven European prison management models from countries like Norway, Sweden, and Germany, alongside select U.S. programs. These models emphasize rehabilitation through respect, accountability, and positive relationships between residents and staff. By fostering these principles, the RRC helps reduce recidivism, increases prosocial behavior, and prepares residents to reintegrate as contributing members of the community.

CCR’s work aligns with the leadership of Director Foley and his predecessor Director Precythe, both of whom have championed restorative justice approaches within the Missouri Department of Corrections to transform correctional culture and improve outcomes.

Breaking The Cycle of Violence & Incarceration

CCR’s Restorative Reentry Community at TCKC represents a vital step toward breaking the cycle of violence and incarceration in Jackson County. By providing restorative justice training, coaching, and community linkages, the program equips individuals with the skills and support needed to take responsibility for their actions and rebuild their lives. This approach not only benefits the participants but also contributes to safer prisons and safer communities for all.

Locations

Click on the window icon (upper right corner) of the map below to expand. List of all program locations is included with expanded view of map. Locations are also listed on this page below the map.