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What would Restorative Justice look like in this case?

DeVries, John
June 4, 2015

Source: (2012) Sage E-Bulletin. 110(3):3-4.

Before this mishap I had become an advocate for Restorative Justice. Having worked as a Chaplain in a Federal Penitentiary, I quickly learned that jail and imprisonment does punish, but does not make persons accountable for unacceptable behaviour. “The next time I won’t get caught”, was a line I heard in the penitentiary. Do I charge Jack (18 yrs old)? My insurance agent said to charge him because you never know what the head injury could cause years from now. My lawyer said to charge him. The police had already reminded me that I could charge the errant young driver.
Practice what you preach. What would restorative justice look like in this case, I wondered? (excerpt)

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