Minding the Gap

Source: (2000) Relational Justice Bulletin. October (8): 1-3. Downloaded 15 May 2003.

In England the phrase “mind the gapâ€? is used to refer to the space between the platform and the train in the London Underground. Stephen Tumim employs it to describe the space – that is, the distance or alienation – created when a crime is committed. The perpetrator creates a gap between himself or herself and the victim. The gap can also refer to the distance created by society in locking offenders away in prisons. Some would argue that the gap should be kept wide – keep offenders far from society for as long as possible. Tumim, in contrast, contends that the gap should be kept narrow to help offenders, as much as possible, re-enter society as productive and law-abiding citizens. To Tumin, this sense of “minding the gapâ€? is how he understands relational justice. Hence, he explains in this article what relational justice is and how relational justice can function in a prison setting.