Justice takes to the streets of LA
September 14, 2014
Community members should be able to see the tangible impact of the justice system on their streets and to participate more deeply in shaping criminal justice solutions, especially when it comes to the quality-of-life crimes that can make streets and parks dangerous or business districts...
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The truth about Truth Commissions: Why they do not function optimally in post-conflict societies
September 14, 2014
In post-authoritarian contexts, the state generally perpetrates abuses against citizens. However, in post-conflict contexts, while the state may be implicated in abuses—mass violence also envelopes individuals, with neighbor turning against neighbor, engulfing whole communities. ...
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Restorative justice is a win-win
September 12, 2014
What happened to the idea of “restorative justice,” where everybody is a winner in a win-win game rather than a zero-sum game? Restorative justice is a philosophy similar to the reconciliation philosophy that led South Africa to a peaceful democracy post-apartheid, in which law...
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Oklahoma teen acts to right his father’s wrong
September 8, 2014
Christian says he just had to tell her he was sorry about what happened. “It needed to be done,” he says. “She needed an apology from somebody. If I didn’t apologize, who would?” “I thought that was so, so precious,” Tona says. “Any 15-year-old...
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Are restorative justice conferences effective in reducing repeat offending? Findings from a Campbell Systematic Review
September 8, 2014
The condition of mutual consent is crucial not just to the research, but also to the aim of its generalizability. The operational basis of holding such conferences at all depends upon consent, since RJCs without consent are arguably unethical. The Review’s conclusions are appropriately...
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Interview with Jon Collins, Restorative Justice Council CEO
September 7, 2014
Referring to an Ipsos MORI poll commissioned by the RJC, Jon goes on to discuss public perceptions of restorative justice, and highlights work which needs to be done. The polling showed that three quarters of the public support the idea that victims should have a right to meet their offender,...
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Community based sociotherapy in Rwanda: healing a post-violent conflict society
September 7, 2014
….The effectiveness of the sociotherapy in Byumba relies on the following principles which are considered as the backbone of the approach: Interest in people, Equality, Democracy, Here and Now, Responsibility, Participation, and Learning by Doing. In addition, sociotherapy is...
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Watch out for new environmental enforcement laws
September 7, 2014
‘Restorative justice’ is described in the second reading speech for the Bill as a process that: “brings together both an offender and a victim to address the actions that should be undertaken by the offender to repair the harm that has been caused.†In practical terms,...
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Protective Behaviours: A new approach to being safe
September 1, 2014
As adults we are very good at telling and showing children and young people what is and is not safe. We give them an ‘external reference’ so that they can recognise and measure ‘unsafe’ activities and circumstances – crossing the road, using a sharp knife,...
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Restorative discipline should be common practice to lower the dropout rate for both students and teachers
September 1, 2014
But these patterns for teachers and students can be reversed, and it starts with a radically different approach to school discipline. It is called Restorative Discipline. Instead of asking: what rule was broken, who broke it and what should the punishment be, Restorative Discipline sees...
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Fatal crash lies lead to home detention
September 1, 2014
Danian Xu, a 49-year-old chef, was killed in the accident. ….Sun had attended a restorative justice conference with the victim’s family and offered a $10,000 emotional harm payment, he said. James Rapley said Ouyang told Sun he couldn’t continue with the lie and they both...
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Justice in Ferguson, Missouri: Can restorative justice apply here?
September 1, 2014
I learned a lot from that work. I learned first hand about racism and what is often referred to as institutional racism. Restorative justice often is not offered as a way of responding to racism or racial violence but RJI thinks it should not be ignored at this time. Wherever violence...
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Project Turnaround earns kudos
August 22, 2014
….Having spent nearly four years in her role, Wood said the scale of the crimes varied. “It could range from graffiti to manslaughter.” Offenders entered the restorative justice process after they pleaded guilty. A judge then decides if the case should be considered for...
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What kind of prison might the inmates design?
August 22, 2014
Together, they created a vision and called it “Do No Harm” room. A picture window with a mountain view. A door that locks from the inside. Plants and rugs. The workshop dynamic shifted. Later, Toews wondered, “If we treated it as a potential for something literal, if the...
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PCC Grove plans restorative justice expansion ‘to give victims a bigger say’
August 22, 2014
….A force spokesman said: “Restorative justice gives victims the chance to meet or communicate with their offenders to explain the real impact of the crime, which empowers victims by giving them a voice. “It also holds offenders to account for what they have done and helps...
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