"Livability Crime" video review

By Dan Van Ness

Livability Crime. Restorative Justice Community Action. 7:08 minutes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBJsn3llxNk

This brief You Tube video describes a programme in Minneapolis operated by a local nonprofit organization called Restorative Justice Community Action (RJCA) in cooperation with the courts.

When defendants are charged with “livability crimes” (drugs dealing, alcohol use, prostitution, vandalism, noise, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, public urination and littering) the court offers them the opportunity to meet with community members instead in a community conference.

Jul 03, 2009    Correspondent:Dan Van Ness , Video

It's not okay

By Lisa Rea

I have worked as an advocate for restorative justice and criminal justice reform working with both offenders, and their families, through Justice Fellowship as its state director in California in the 1990's, and then working with victims of violent of crime through the creation of The Justice & Reconciliation Project (JRP), a national nonprofit seeking to provide a forum for victims to tell their stories.  I can tell you I have seen crime from both perspectives. Advocates who represent victims and advocates who represent prisoners would both agree on one thing: prison rape is never okay. That is why the actions of a federal prison rape commission are so important.

Jul 02, 2009    Human Rights , Correspondent:Lisa Rea

In their own words

Often participants in restorative justice processes and programmes describe their experiences as opportunities for learning and connecting with others. Quite often they speak of their surprise in just how positive the experience was.

Kris Miner of the St. Croix Valley Restorative Justice Programme shares this slide show highlighting comments from participants in different programmes.

Jul 02, 2009    Story

Black male conundrum

From Sarah Karp's article in Catalyst Chicago: In Chicago’s public schools, African-American males are suspended and expelled at a higher rate than any other student group. Yet educators are working to raise black male graduation rates, creating a classic case of policy and practice at odds.

Jul 01, 2009    Policy , School , Manual

Training: National BTEC Award Programme in Restorative Approaches.

Offered by Safety Net Associates in England, the National BTEC Award is a professional training programme recognised by the National Qualifications and Curriculum Authorty. It addresses the training needs of both practioners and senior staff.

Jun 30, 2009    Training , Event