- Filter
- Showing 10 posts published between Jul 01, 2011 and Jul 31, 2011 [Show all]
Creating statutes to deliver restorative justice
from Sylvia Clute's entry on Genuine Justice:
Many U.S. state codes, as yet, make no reference to restorative justice. Then there are several states with statutes that refer to restorative justice as a process that may be provided under various circumstances, without going into detail. However, a small but growing number of state statutes establish a comprehensive system for providing restorative justice services. Here is a sampling of the diverse approaches being taken by some states.
Colorado recently enacted one of the most comprehensive U.S. restorative justice systems so far. Title 19, Art. 2, Part 2, Sec. 19-2-213. Restorative justice coordinating council provides for a "restorative justice coordinating council" to be established in the state judicial department within the office of the state court administrator. This council is to “support the development of restorative justice programs, serve as a central repository for information, assist in the development and provision of related education and training, and provide technical assistance to entities engaged in or wishing to develop restorative justice programs.”
Jul 18, 2011 Legislation, Country:USA, Government
Grant would expand Yellow Medicine County’s restorative justice program
from Steve Brown's article in Marshall Independent:
Yellow Medicine County began planning the program 10 years ago, and has seen a 91 percent reduction in out-of-home placement expenses from 2001-2010. Out-of-home placements include foster care and incarceration in juvenile detention facilities.
"Restorative justice is a philosophy that views harm and crime as violations of people and relationships," Marthaler said. "It creates obligations rather than guilt."
Jul 15, 2011 Support
New Zealand: Rethinking contributes to Circles of Support and Accountability
from the newsletter of Rethinking Crime and Punishment:
Developed by a Mennonite community in Canada in the 1990's, COSA are groups of volunteers from the community into which the offender is released. They meet with a sex offender regularly, provide support for their reintegration and at the same time, hold them accountable for their actions. The volunteers receive extensive training and are fully informed of the offender's history, patterns of offending and the thoughts and behaviours that are likely to signal regression. The Circles begin working with the offender before they are released and are headed by a Circle Coordinator who is connected to other relevant agencies and professionals (e.g. probations, the police and clinicians) calling upon their support and advice as required.
Jul 14, 2011 Country:New Zealand, Offender, Community, Case:Sexual
How to tell if your community is really doing restorative justice
from the entry by Benjamin Chambers on Reclaiming Futures:
What's one of the biggest drivers pushing kids into the juvenile justice system these days? Schools.
Schools often suspend or expel youth who misbehave, ostensibly to maintain order. Unfortunately, an analysis of 30 years of data on middle school expulsions and suspensions issued last year by the Southern Poverty Law Center found that the sanctions were unfair and ineffective.
So what can be done? For one thing, schools can partner with juvenile courts to reduce the number of unnecessary referrals to juvenile court (follow the link for a great 2010 presentation for the Connecticut Juvenile Justice Alliance given by Judges Steven Teske and Brian Huff on how they accomplished this in their jurisdictions).
But restorative justice offers another useful solution. Recent research done on a few schools in the U.S., Britain, and Canada suggests that adopting restorative justice techniques in the classroom can reduce suspensions and expulsions significantly.
Breaking the Cycle: The Government's response published
from the website of the Restorative Justice Council:
On 21 June 2011 the Ministry of Justice published the Government’s response to the consultation responses received to the sentencing green paper Breaking the Cycle. Although some areas of proposed policy have changed – for example in relation to the additional discount for early guilty pleas – the message on restorative justice remains strong.
Jul 12, 2011 Region:Europe, Country:England&Wales, Support, Policy, Politics
The night I forgave my daughter’s killer
from the article by Marietta Jaeger-Lane, as told to Lynsi Burton in Yes!
....I knew the kidnapper could be liable for the death penalty, and I wanted him to hang high. However, I had always tried to live my faith with integrity, and my conscience was calling me to forgive my enemy. I realized if I gave myself to that desire for revenge, it would obsess and consume me. So, I promised to cooperate with whatever could move my heart from fury to forgiveness.
One year to the minute after the kidnapper had taken Susie, he called me at my home in Michigan. He was calling to taunt me. Even though he was smug and nasty, to my own real surprise, I was filled with genuine concern and compassion, which thwarted his intention to rile me up and then hang up.
Jul 11, 2011 Forgiveness, Victim
In the society, community and family of Restorative Justice, 3rd National Conference 2011
from Kris Miner's entry on Restorative Justice and Circles:
I have attended 3 of the 3 National Restorative Justice Conferences. I am typing this blog from the lobby of the Sheraton Hotel in Raleigh, host of the most recent meeting. I stayed tonight, the conference ended at noon. Instead of being surrounded by familiar faces, and at the very least, people in orange lanyards, I am here alone. I am feeling lost in a mystery of something much bigger than myself. This is a feeling that only being alone, without lonliness can provide.
My adventure began by picking up Kay Pranis, and traveling out of Minneapolis together. I love Kay, she really embodies the spirt and essence of a restorative justice circle practitioner. We were joined at the gate by Mark Umbriet, and I sat speechless, as the conversation included comparisions of criminal justice reforms, via restorative justice and health care, plant care, food systems and health. I was practically tongue tied as my thoughts drifted from the conversation to the the experience of sitting with these two pioneeers of this movement. They so very humbly, chatted with me about these issues.
Jul 08, 2011 Limitations, Support, Practice
Watchdogs criticise out-of-court penalties
from the article by Dominic Casciani for BBC News:
Watchdogs have criticised the "piecemeal and largely uncontrolled" use of out-of-court punishments.
The chief inspectors of constabulary and prosecution said the powers were sometimes used for persistent and more serious offenders.
The report calls for a strategy on the use of penalties across England and Wales to protect public confidence.
Jul 07, 2011 Guideline, Country:England&Wales, Region: Europe, Government
'Say sorry' scheme helps exclusions fall at Burnley school
from Nafeesa Shan's article in Lancaster Telegraph:
Exclusions have dropped by two thirds at an East Lancashire school which has piloted a new scheme where troublemakers say sorry.
Burnley super school Sir John Thursby Community College, has been working with the Youth Offending Team over the past year to help improve general pupil behaviour.
Jul 06, 2011 Evaluation, Study, Country:England&Wales, Region: Europe
Reformed Surrey graffiti artist works to rehab those drawn to life of 'tagging'
from the article by Tom Zillich in The Vancouver Sun:
Reformed graffiti artist Pontus Agren is drawing up plans to save a rehab program aimed at the kind of "criminal" he used to be.
Jul 05, 2011 Country:Canada, Policy, Case:Livability Crimes, Region: North America and Caribbean
