Restorative Justice: Peacemaking in the Streets

Yesterday I attended a special program that Interfaith Paths to Peace co-sponsored with the Louisville Bar Association on the topic of "Restorative Justice." Things related to the justice system in the U.S. don't frequently get the attention of IPP, but I am especially glad we were part of this.

Restorative Justice is not a program but rather an approach to justice-making, that is very affirming, and helps to heal the damage done to a victim in a crime. The nature of this justice theory is right in line with the mission and stance of IPP, which I tell people is almost universally positive.

Efforts to use this theory in everyday work has seen great success not only in easing the pain of victims, but also in reducing the number of repeat offenders and decreasing the size of the prison population.

Here are some details shared with us about RJ by yesterday's presenter, Fania E. Davis, J.D., Ph.D., Co-Founder & Director, Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth in Oakland California:

Restorative Justice is:

•Not a program, it is above all a theory of justice that is:
•Focused on
repairing harm
•Inclusive - Invites all affected to come together to figure
out how to do so
•Balanced - Gives equal attention to community safety,
victim’s needs, and offender accountability and growth

Restorative Justice involves:

•Encounter and Truth-Telling: Create opportunities for victims, offenders
and community members to dialogue about the wrongdoing and how to make it
better

•Amends: Create opportunities for offenders to empathize with
those they have harmed and to take steps to repair
harm

•Reintegration: Create opportunities for victims and offenders
to be reintegrated into the community as productive, contributing
citizens

•Self-Reliance: Promote greater self-reliance in
communities.

Here's a link to a great web site about restorative justice:


RJ's effectiveness has been demonstrated in a number of positive results:

•Positive Outcomes in Schools
•Victim Satisfaction
•True
Accountability
•Increased Family & Community Involvement
•Reduced
Incarceration and Recidivism
•Fiscal Benefits

Here's a link to a great web site about RJ:
http://www.restorativejustice.org/

Here's a link to some videos on YouTube about Restorative Justice

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=restorative+justice&search_type=&aq=f