County spends to evaluate justice program

The Carlton County Board of Commissioners approved $20,000 for an evaluation of the Restorative Justice program, currently used as a tool for some offenders under the jurisdiction of the local District Court system.

This is one of several steps the County Board is taking to see which county services should be funded and which should not.

The Restorative Justice program is not mandated or funded by the state of Minnesota. The local program was started in 2008.

Simply put, the Restorative Justice program helps an offender own what the person did, make it right for those hurt or affected, and inv...