I read a few weeks back Restoring Justice: An Introduction to Restorative Justice by Daniel W. Van Ness and Karen Heetderks Strong as one of several different peacemaking systems I’ve been reading up on.
This has been an approach to justice that has been gaining ground, especially in the education world. A friend of mine who is a vice principal of a middle school mentioned this was part of what they were doing to counteract the school to prison pipeline for some students.
This is a really compelling approach that is needed in various forms today throughout society. One of the helpful components of this book is some context and history of the U.S. penal system and how it became what it is today. The root word “penitent” of penitentiary highlights the original motivations for incarceration, and this book provides a helpful argument for how contemporary systems are actually hurting justice and efforts to facilitate penance. There’s a lot there was really helpful historically prior to jumping into the process and practices of restorative justice.
The heart of this system is to involve the victim. There is an incredible critique of the justice system in demonstrating how the victim gets marginalized from the entire process – and essentially often gets re-victimized because crime is framed primarily as crimes against the state and not as primarily offenses towards others. Restorative justice aims to facilitate reconciliation and restoration of relationship through restitution, empowerment of the victim, and empathetic encounters between victim and perpetrator.
The processes involved require immense levels of collaboration and community support, but the possibilities are so much stronger for long-term rehabilitation and a strengthened community.
I found this introduction to Restorative Justice really helpful, motivating, and compelling.
