Restorative Justice: Differences between the US and UK

from Scott Walsh's entry on From the Desk of Mary Ellen Johnson:

First: Politics

This is one more area where the UK and the US are miles apart. In the United States prosecutors often go into politics as a career so being strong on crime and talking the rhetoric helps in their campaigns. To have any chance of moving forward all political parties need to be targeted at the same time, there is little point in persuading one politician or political party to be more understanding as this will just leave the door open for his or her opposition to jump in with the policy they are stronger on crime and sentencing. 

They also need to be tackled at the right time; your political system seems to run on a four year cycle. There is very little point in lobbying any politicians to be more compassionate towards offenders in the final 2 years of any administration as they will not want to seem weak on the crime ticket and also be already campaigning for the next elections. The day after any vote is the day to start.

Feb 21, 2012 Country:England&Wales, Region: Europe, Region: North America and Caribbean, Politics, Country:USA

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Let’s make restorative justice a reality in 2012

from the article by Robert Buckland MP in TRG Egremont:

Having worked for many years in the criminal justice system, prosecuting and defending in criminal cases, I am acutely aware that the trial process does not - and cannot - address the problems faced by victims of crime.

Since my election to Parliament in 2010, I have taken an increasing interest in restorative justice and how it can play a bigger role in the criminal justice system in the UK. Restorative justice can help turn lives around for the offenders and aid the healing process among victims of crime.

Feb 15, 2012 Country:England&Wales, Support, Region: Europe, Policy, Politics

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Restorative justice: The new way forward

from Lisa Rea's article in Baylor University's Christian Refelction issue on Prison:

.... Some might argue that our prison system was never meant to positively affect victims and communities. I will not analyze the original purpose of prisons in society, but we know that prisons have become something far different than what they were intended to be. Most societies have incarcerated individuals who were deemed to be a violent threat to others, but the United States prison system today has grown immensely beyond this rationale. As a result, the American state and federal prison population has expanded dramatically. 

Feb 07, 2012 Correspondent:Lisa Rea, Practice, Victim, Policy, Politics

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