top of page

Restorative Justice

Office of Restorative Justice Logo.png

The Office of Restorative Justice seeks to be a sign of God's presence and instruments of healing. We offer pastoral care and outreach to victims, the incarcerated, and the families of both. We educate parishes on the realities of crime and its impact in society and respond with Gospel values. We advocate for a transformation from the current retributive model of justice to a restorative justice model.

About

A ministry of presence and of healing offering pastoral care and outreach to victims, the incarcerated, and the families of both.

Our Team

We:

  • Bring hope and healing to those affected by crime: victims, offenders, their families, and the whole community

  • Focus on Detention Ministry, Victims' Ministry, Advocay, Families of the Incarcerated and Ministry of Accompaniment with the Formerly Incarcerated

​

​

The Office of Restorative Justice is necessary  to the faith development of all peoples.  It seeks to teach that life, dignity, and justice is valued in all of human life.  Our office seeks to bring presence and healing to those who are suffering the loss of a loved one from a violent death.  We bring consolation and healing to families affected by the incarceration of a loved one.  We seek rehabilitation for those who have committed crimes and are serving time in prison, jails, juvenile halls and bring support to those in detention centers facing deportation.  

Sr. Rosario Coronado, E.e.p
High Desert Detention Ministry
Deacon Antonio Mejico
Prison and Jail Ministry
Deacon Roberto Jara
Ministry to Victims and Families
Deacon Nel Rabe
Volunteer Coordinator of Episcopal Visits to
Prisons and Jails

Menu
About

Detention Ministry

Ministry of Presence

We provide for the spiritual and/or religious needs of the incarcerated in the Diocese of San Bernardino. We listen, accompany, recognize Christ in each person and make Christ’s love a reality. We journey with the incarcerated and provide opportunities to encounter Christ in themselves and in each other.


We listen, accompany, and journey by doing the following:

​

  • Faith Sharing Groups (prison, jail, Juvenile Hall)

  • Bible Study (prison)

  • Sacramental Preparation (prison

  • One-to-One Pastoral Visitation (prison)

  • Retreats & Days of Reflection (prison)

  • Worship Services: Mass/Communion Services (prison and jails)

  • Priests: Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Mass

  • Bishops: Mass /Visits on Various Holy Days (prison, jail)

  • Occasional Events: Christmas Social and Crossovers

Image by Grant Durr

Locations we serve

State Prisons

  • California Institute for Women, Corona

  • California Institute for Men, Chino

  • Ironwood State Prison, Blythe

  • Chuckawalla Valley State Prison, Blythe

  • California Rehabilitation Center, Norco

    ​​​

San Bernardino County Jails

  • Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center, Glen Helen

  • Central Detention Center, San Bernardino

  • West Valley Detention Center, Rancho Cucamonga

  • High Desert Detention Center, Adelanto

    ​

Riverside County Jails

  • Robert Presley Detention Center, Riverside

  • Indio Jail Facility

  • Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility, Banning

  • Cois Byrd Detention Facility, Murrieta​​

    • (Formerly Southwest Detention Center)​

​

​State Forensic Hospital

  • Patton State Hospital, Highland

    ​

Federal Prison

  • Federal Correctional Complex: Victorville

    • U.S. Penitentiary

    • FCI-1 

    • FCI-2 

    • Women’s Camp

      ​​

Juvenile Detention Centers, San Bernardino County

  • Central Juvenile Hall, San Bernardino

  • Gateway Regional Center, San Bernardino

  • Boys Republic, Chino Hills

    ​

Juvenile Detention Centers, Riverside County

  • Riverside Juvenile Hall

  • Indio Juvenile Hall

  • Southwest Juvenile Hall, Murrieta

Detention Ministry

Ministry to Families of Murder Victims

"The Journey through grief is never easy. Families and friends affected by a sudden violent death is especially traumatic. Understanding and expressing these feelings helps survivors, over time and with the support of others, come to reconcile their loss." - Excerpts from "Healing Your Traumatized Heart" by Alan D. Wolfelt, PhD

The Ministry for Families of Murder Victims is a community resource for anyone seeking to heal from the trauma caused by homicide, suicide, and/or terrorist fatalities. While those at the center of a trauma may be most severely affected, a ripple affect reaches the larger community who typically also suffers from trauma symptoms that are more subtle and harder to detect. The Office of Restorative Justice partners with several organizations who provide therapy, counseling, and advocacy.

​

For more information and resources available click the button below.

Services:

  • A Ten Week Support Group: "The Journey" for those who have lost a loved one to Murder or Suicide

  • "Love One Another Prayer Services for Murder Victims" are held at or near the murder site year round and are led by Priests, Deacons or Laity

  • Memorial Masses for Families and friends and all who have lost a loved one to Murder

  • An Annual Day of Healing Retreat: "Tell Your Story"

  • Host of the Annual Christmas Memorial Lunch sponsored by Families and Friends of Murder Victims, Inc

Victim's Ministry
Ministry to Families

Ministry to Families of the Incarcerated

Families having to endure the incarceration of a family member often feel broken and alienated. Everyone in the family-- parents, sibilings, children, and extended families are affected by the hurdles caused from having a family member incarcerated. The value of family and neighbor encourages advocacy for the support and rehabilitation of family life to community life.

The following programs are in place to extend the mission of the Church to those seeking wholeness:

  • Keeping Hope - Monthly Virtual Support Group Meetings: join us for an hour of support, fellowship and sharing with families of the incarcerated. 

  • Annual Liturgies for families of the incarcerated.

​

Partner: Center for Restorative Justice Works

  • Get on the Bus (GOTB): a non-profit organization that unites children, families and communities separated by crime and the criminal justice system. These annual trips provide opportunities for children, and their caregivers, to visit their mother and father in prison.

  • Family Express: a monthly program that provides free transportation for families to visit their loved ones in prison.

BRIDGES

BRIDGES

Ministry of Accompaniment with the Formerly Incarcerated

A program that is designed to provide encouragement, support, guidance and practical assistance to men and women who face the challenges of transition from prison into families, faith communities and society.

BRIDGES pairs mentor teams with ex-offenders at time of release. Rooted in their faith commitment, the main goal is for mentor teams to be supports and guides as their mentees go through the transition process of learning to live new lives. 

​​

  • Is a structured, caring partnership/relationship

  • Accompanies mentees in their faith journeys

  • Focuses on the needs of the mentees

  • Encourages individuals to develop to their fullest potential

  • Helps mentees in developing goal setting

  • Helps mentees in identifying options and in understanding consequences

  • Connects mentees to resources in the Church community and the community at large

  • Is a mutual relationship, with both the mentors and mentees learning and growing from their partnership

bottom of page