Summary
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In 1999, Schemenauer develop a training program to initiate a sentencing or haling circles, an alternative to incarceration, in various Native American communities. According to Schemenauer, that involves using panel of tribal members to use their culture, traditions and spirituality to work with offenders to give up their criminal lifestyle and addictions to drugs and alcohol. Circle criteria are that the offender has ties to the community, must volunteer to participate, must admit guilt, must be willing to meet with the victim and must be willing to do what is asked of him or her by circle. "We explain what person is in for, what person the violation is, any past violation, and any family members that may be willing to participate, "Shemenauer said. If the circle decides to interview the offender, he or she is invited to participate. (excerpt)
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