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- Showing 10 posts published between Sep 01, 2009 and Sep 30, 2009 [Show all]
'Talking stick' helps facilitate restorative justice response to destructive behaviors
from Barbara Bradley's article in the Memphis Commercial Appeal:
Getting to know the neighbors took on a new dimension recently at a gathering of residents at a Southeast Memphis apartment complex. Summoned as part of a neighborhood watch program, they were asked to form a circle and pass a "talking stick." They were told to speak only about themselves, and only the one who held the stick could speak. As if by sorcery, the talking stick drew out stories so painful several people burst into tears and another fled the room.Sep 16, 2009 Story, Media, Practice, Circle, Country:USA
Amy Biehl, South Africa and restorative justice
from the UAF news release:
Linda Biehl, co-founder and director of the Amy Biehl Foundation, will give a free lecture at University of Alaska Fairbanks, Wednesday, Sept. 16.
“Restorative Justice” is the topic of the speech. Biehl will talk about her daughter Amy Biehl, who was a Fulbright Scholar studying the role of women and gender rights during South Africa’s transition from its apartheid regime to a free multiracial democracy. Amy was killed in an act of political violence in South Africa in 1993....
Sep 15, 2009 National Reconciliation, Country:South Africa
Stepping toward restorative justice: Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission
from Elecia Chrunik's article in The Sasquatch:
In June 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized on behalf of the Canadian government to former students of Indian residential schools for “failing them so profoundly.” The apology, long sought from survivors, was only one part of the court-approved package that also included $1.9 billion in compensation distributed to living survivors.
Thousands of Aboriginals have come forward in recent years to speak about the mental, physical and sexual abuse they suffered at the schools that operated across the country. The purpose of the schools was to “kill the Indian in the child” and systematically destroy Aboriginal culture. Harper said the forced assimilation was “wrong, caused great harm and has no place in this country.”
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission is the other piece of the package that aims to help heal the rift between oppressor and oppressed. The Commission will document survivors’ stories, hold seven national events and create a public archive. The Commission’s success will be measured by how much the rest of Canada participates....
Sep 15, 2009 Country:Canada, National Reconciliation
Treasures: Victims Voice, Safe Justice and Lemonade
by Dan Van Ness
I just came across several treasures that will be extremely useful to people who have been, who love, or who work with crime victims.
The first is the website of Victims' Voice, a Canadian NGO sponsored by the Mennonite Central Committee and whose purpose is "to address the revictimization of victims in the criminal justice system, to create understanding about victims among practitioners who work within the system and to give emotional and informational support directly to victims through victim-centered programs."
The website has a number of resources that can be downloaded. And it contains links to two more sites, also sponsored by Victims' Voice.
Sep 14, 2009 Practice, Correspondent:Dan Van Ness, Mediation, Other, Victim
Common sense justice is a £1M hit in Derbyshire, UK
from the article on derbyshire.co.uk:
Restorative justice gives the victim a say in how an offender is dealt with.
Young vandals who cause damage can be forced to repair it and apologise to the property owner, and minor assaults can be dealt with by attackers agreeing to pay compensation to their victims.
In each case, the situation is resolved without court action, saving thousands of hours of police time and preventing youngsters from getting criminal records. Police say that since the scheme was introduced in Derbyshire in April, more than 1,600 crimes have been dealt with using the new powers....
Life sentence in fatal impaired accident 'small victory' for Quebec family
by Lisa Rea
Canadian Roger Walsh was convicted and given a life sentence for the killing of Anee Khudaverian while driving drunk in October 2008 in Quebec. Walsh's sentence is noteworthy since this is the stiffest sentence ever handed down by the Crown in the case of a drunk driving death. Walsh had 18 additional convictions on his record for "impaired driving" before the death of this victim. In this news story, along with a television news clip interviewing the victim's mother and sister, we learn that Ms. Khudaverian was wheelchair bound and walking her down on a rural road when she was killed by Walsh.
Sep 11, 2009 Case:DWI, Correspondent:Lisa Rea
Sawyer family moves forward after devastating loss
from wsbt.com (tip of the hat to Vancouver Association for Restorative Justice):
When he left home the morning of July 16, 2008, Patrick was just weeks away from completing his degree. It was early, before sunrise, and he was riding his bicycle west on Cleveland Road, headed to the YMCA to swim laps before class at Indiana University South Bend. He was wearing a helmet and reflective vest and riding with traffic, and he had lights on the front and back of his bicycle.
Sep 11, 2009 Media, Story, Country:USA, Case:DWI
Three justice orientations (or two?)
by Dan Van Ness
Howard Zehr, recently wrote in his Restorative Justice Blog:
Stanford Law Professor Herbert Packer has argued that two opposing justice orientations dominate U.S. policy debates: crime control vs. due process. Could a restorative justice orientation provide a “third way?” that transcends these poles? The following identifies some assumptions of each.
Crime control orientation: emphasis on order and security....
Due process orientation: emphasis on preventing misuse of the punishment system....
Restorative justice orientation - emphasis on repair and responsibility....
Sep 10, 2009 Correspondent:Dan Van Ness, Distinguishing, Theory, Definition
A justice that reconciles -- new study guide from Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand
from the Caritas website:
Social Justice Week in 2009 (13-19 September) calls for a new attitude to crime and punishment. Caritas has produced resources to help Catholic parishes, schools and youth groups – as well as the wider community – reflect on issues to do with criminal justice and reconciliation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
Sep 09, 2009 Region: Pacific, Biblical, Bible Study, Community, Religion, Country:New Zealand
A “proactive” restorative conference
from Matthew Kuehlhorm's blog Life Skoolz:
As the meeting progressed, tempers cooled and people began to listen. Ultimately, the kids agreed to the boundaries set by security and the college administrators. Campus security also had a chance to meet the kids and now knows who they are when they do come onto campus. Campus is open to them after all.
