Source: (2001) Atlanta, Georgia: Emory University.
In this paper, Theophus Smith considers the nature and practice of truth and reconciliation in the aftermath of violence. He begins with the case of South Africa –particularly its Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). While some severely criticize the TRC as making a mockery of justice, others, including Smith, see it as an example of restorative justice in contrast to retributive justice. With this in mind, Smith points to a recently developed research model to identify the requirements of restorative justice and advance its development. This model is called RTJ by its advocate Thomas Scheff, after the combination of restorative justice and therapeutic jurisprudence. Smith then seeks to apply Scheff’s work to the practice of truth and reconciliation in response to violence.
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