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Justice in Relationships: Calgary Community Conferening as a Demonstration Project

Calhoun, Avery
June 4, 2015

Source: (2002) Contemporary Justice Review. 5(3): 249-260

Contemporary and alternative justice paradigms lead to definitions of wrongdoing as “lawbreaking” and “harm to social relationships” respectively. The retributive model within the contemporary justice paradigm results in strategies to accomplish justice that focus almost exclusively on the wrongdoer. In contrast, the restorative model within the alternate justice paradigm yields justice practices that focus on the relationships among all individuals harmed by the wrongdoing. Calgary community conferencing is an example of a restorative approach to wrongdoing. The relational emphasis of this program is operationalized through its organizational location, inteded outcomes, and program activities. The challenges faced by Calgary Community Conferencing provide provide other agencies with ideas about dilemmas they might encounter in attempting to develop restorative justice programs.

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