Organization - Offender Aid And Restoration

Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR), a community-based restorative justice organization, blends compassion and accountability to assist offenders in leading productive and responsible lives, to the benefit of all.

Description:
Offender Aid and Restoration of Arlington County, Inc., is a private, nonprofit organization which has been assisting inmates and ex-offenders since 1974. OAR offers community-managed programs in Arlington, Falls Church, and Alexandria aimed at restoring offenders as responsible members of the community. Alternative sentencing options help reduce overcrowding of local jails while providing needed services to community organizations. Programs for inmates and ex-offenders reduce recidivism, build family stability, and enhance community life. For citizen volunteers, offender clients, individual supporters, and the organizations for whom court-ordered service is performed, the impact of these efforts is restorative, healing and enduring for the entire community.

History:
The OAR movement began in 1968 when a group of concerned citizens led by Jay Worral, Jr. responded to a prison riot in Richmond, Virginia. These citizens envisioned an improved criminal justice system in which inmates are assisted by trained volunteers from the community. Through ongoing contact with community volunteers it was hoped that inmates would be empowered with information and encouraged to transform their experiences toward responsible and productive lives. The ultimate goal was to break the costly cycle of recidivism and create a more just system.This nationally recognized model program was incorporated as OAR/USA in 1973 and currently has affiliated but autonomous offices in four states.

The mission of OAR/USA is to promote a community-based justice system responsive to the needs of offenders, victims and all other individuals affected by crime. OAR supports volunteer participation, mobilizes community involvement, promotes alternatives to incarceration, and encourages the restoration of offenders, families and victims.

Contact person: Adam Hand, Volunteer And Special Projects Manager, (703) 228-7031, (email)

Address:

1400 North Uhle Street, Suite 704 Arlington, VA 22201 (See a map)

Directions:

Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Courthouse,   Walk distance (in minutes): 3 min