Justice Fellowship works to reform the criminal justice system based on the principles of restorative justice found in the Bible.  They work with government officials to find practical ways to apply restorative justice to help victims, reform the hearts of offenders and restore a sense of community to neighborhoods long plagued by crime. A major focus of Justice Fellowship’s efforts is on insuring that offenders are better prepared to live healthy, productive, law abiding lives on their release.

Pat brings a unique background to Justice Fellowship.  He served for 15 years in the California State Assembly, four of those as the Assembly Republican Leader. He was a leader on crime issues, particularly on behalf of victims' rights. Pat was one of the original sponsors of the Victims' Bill of Rights (Proposition 15) and was awarded the "Victims Advocate Award" by Parents of Murdered Children. He was named Legislator of the Year by many groups including the Amvets for his work on behalf of Vietnam veterans.

In 1994, Pat was targeted for prosecution for a campaign contribution he accepted which turned out to be part of an FBI sting. He pleaded guilty to one count of racketeering and served 29 months in a federal custody.

Pat is the author of When Prisoners Return, which describes the important role the Church can play in helping prisoners get back on their feet after they are released. His opinion pieces have appeared in numerous periodicals including the Los Angeles Times, the National Law Journal and the Washington Times. He has coauthored articles for the Notre Dame Law School Journal of Law, Ethics and Public Policy and the Regent Law School Law Review. He is a frequent guest on talk shows, including Hannity and Colmes, Fox Network News, Michael Reagan, Montel Williams and Ollie North.

Pat serves on the nine-member U.S. Prison Rape Elimination Commission, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Justice Fellowship worked very hard to pass the legislation which established the commission. Pat also serves on the National Commission on Safety and Abuse in America’s Prisons, co-chaired by former Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach and former Chief Judge of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, John Gibbons. In addition, Pat serves on Governor Schwarzenegger’s 14-member Prison Rehabilitation Strike Team, established to completely revamp California’s prison system.

Important Idea

“God wants us to live in peaceful communities, secure homes and tranquil places of rest (Isaiah 32:18). By working to heal all people impacted by crime, Restorative Justice helps make our communities more peaceful, secure and tranquil. It restores the shalom, or right order, to our neighborhoods.

--Pat Nolan

___________________________________

Leading Edge

Bibliography

March 2008