Back to RJ Archive

African Nova Scotian restorative justice: A change has gotta come.

Williams, Michelle Y
June 4, 2015

Source: (2013) Dalhousie Law Journal. 36(2):419-459.

Anti-Black racism in ttie criminai justice system is a concern for peopie of African
descent throughout the diaspora, including Nova Scotia—a province shaped by
slavery and segregation. A relational theory of restorative justice suggests that a
restorative approach to criminal harms could yield transformational results within
and beyond the criminal justice system. Using a critical race analysis, this paper
demonstrates that despite the theoretical promise, restorative justice practice in
Nova Scotia has not met the needs of African Nova Scotians nor fundamentally
transformed structural racism within the system. The author concludes that a
culturally specific, community-led African Nova Scotian justice strategy is required
and provides recommendations based on the prior analysis to set priorities for
future directions. (author’s abstract)

Tags:

Abstract
Support the cause

We've Been Restoring Justice for More Than 40 Years

Your donation helps Prison Fellowship International repair the harm caused by crime by emphasizing accountability, forgiveness, and making amends for prisoners and those affected by their actions. When victims, offenders, and community members meet to decide how to do that, the results are transformational.

Donate Now