August 2008 Edition

Lesotho Explores Restorative Justice in Draft Bill; Consultation Continues on Formation of a National Canadian Restorative Justice Organization;Video Review: Building Our Community: A Film about Restorative Practices; Book Review: Restorative justice: ideals and realities;Website of the Month: Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Community University Research Alliance

Lesotho Explores Restorative Justice in Draft Bill

The Attorney General’s office of Lesotho is reviewing the draft Children’s Protection and Welfare Bill (CPWB) that will be debated when parliament resumes session. Addressing all aspects of the treatment and protection of children, the bill includes an extensive section on restorative justice and diversion for children in conflict with the law.

Consultation Continues on Formation of a National Canadian Restorative Justice Organization

In January 2008, a Steering Committee began circulating a discussion paper to determine whether there is interest in forming a national restorative justice organization in Canada.

Video Review: Building Our Community: A Film about Restorative Practices.

Building Our Community is a 15-minute video highlighting the use of restorative practices in Collingwood Primary school located in Hull, UK. Teachers, students, administrators and parents discuss the impact on the school environment and individual students of using circles and conferences.

Book Review: Restorative justice: ideals and realities

Restorative values offer a high standard for practice that can be lost in the everyday running of a programme and unavoidable interface with the criminal justice system. Restorative Justice: ideals and realities, reviewed by Martin Wright, explores this complexity of practice.

Website of the Month: Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Community University Research Alliance

The Nova Scotia Restorative Justice - Community University Research Alliance (NSRJ-CURA) seeks to provide comprehensive research on the issues and problems that arise with the institutionalization of restorative justice practice. It draws heavily on experiences with the Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program, a community and government partnership offering a comprehensive restorative justice response to juvenile offenders. The NSRJ-CURA website offers information on the alliance, resources, and basic information about restorative justice.