NEWCASTLE — The Lincoln County Democratic Committee will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 22, in person at the Newcastle Fire Station, 86 River Road, and via Zoom.

A panel on restorative justice featuring local law enforcement leaders and restorative justice practitioners will include speakers Natasha Irving, District Attorney for Lincoln, Knox, Waldo and Sagadahoc counties; Todd Brackett, sheriff for Lincoln County; and Drew Himmelstein, manager of the Lincoln and Knox County Justice Hub for Restorative Justice Project Maine. The discussion will be moderated by Barbara Cray, an attorney, mediator and volunteer facilitator with the Restorative Justice Project Maine, according to a news release from Kelli Whitlock Burton with the committee.

District Attorney Natasha Irving Submitted photo

After an initial overview of restorative justice practices, Irving will discuss her efforts to reform the criminal justice system and the use of restorative justice as a tool for that effort, examples of her referral of criminal matters to Restorative Justice Project of Maine and the factors for centering a community response to harm, including victim’s needs, accountability, healing and cycle breaking.

Lincoln County Sheriff Todd Brackett Submitted photo

Brackett will share his experiences with restorative justice in criminal matters in Lincoln County, the success of the referrals and using restorative justice in the community, particularly the juvenile community.

Drew Himmelstein Submitted photo

Himmelstein will discuss the philosophy and practices of Restorative Justice Project Maine and provide examples of the work done and how success is measured. After each speaker share’s their remarks, Cray will facilitate a discussion on restorative justice and moderate a question and answer session with the speakers.

Barbara Cray Submitted photo

All Lincoln County Democrats and unenrolled progressives are welcome to attend. LCDC voting members will automatically receive the Zoom log on information and reminders by email. Those interested in becoming a voting member must be a registered Democrat in Lincoln County and can make their interest known by indicating such at the in-person meeting, on the meeting registration form, lincolncountydemocrats.com/meet, or by emailing info@lincolncountydemocrats.com.

Registration for the June 22 meeting is required for non-voting members to receive Zoom log on and/or phone-in details. Register at lincolncountydemocrats.com/meet before noon the day of the meeting to ensure access. The committee will also do its  best to accommodate last-minute registrations.

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