The Christian Century magazine had a short article in a recent issue about a couple of teen vandals who defaced a synagogue in Iowa with anti-Semitic slurs. Fortunately they were caught and most people were so outraged they wanted them prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Instead the rabbi, Stephen Fink, met with the teens as part of a restorative justice process. In the meeting several Holocaust survivors shared their stories. The youths were told that it is the Jewish tradition to work for forgiveness. Each performed 200 hours of community service for the synagogue and in return the charges were dropped. It turned out that the teen boy came from an abusive family situation, ran away from home, and connected with the Aryan Nation, a racist group.
Who knows? This alternative approach may make a difference in the lives of these two. There are no guarantees, but a criminal record probably wouldn't change much and this way the subjects of the racist acts were given the opportunity to show a human face.
What are your thoughts? Too easy an out? A step in the right direction?
Restorative justice is the way to go. Taking theaw class that I'm in has shown me academic arguments on both sides, howerver, those who support retributive justice tend to forget about what happens when criminals are released after shorter sentences. Restorative justice wont work everytime, but its worth the effort tot try and reduce crime overall.
ReplyDeleteHave worked with Restorative Justice for a long time. Lead and facilitate Justice Circles. It does work most of the time, sometimes it takes more then one time, but I have seen lives turn around, people reaching out to help. attitudes change. It is good!
ReplyDeleteYes look at the re-offending rate. The countries that stress rehabilitation and preparation for making it in the world outside have a much lower rate of re-offending. Our recent federal initiatives to dock more pay and remove incentives are going in the wrong direction. While appealling to the need for revenge - they are shortsighted.
ReplyDeleteRestorative justice is the best option when all parties participate fully. We use restorative conversations to settle issues on the school yard and I think it works very well. We have circles in the classroom to encourage listening and understanding. I hope the restorative trend continues to grow.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of you. Obviously those who commit serious crimes must serve suitable sentences which protect society. But in so many instances, which you describe, it is an alternative.
ReplyDeleteI do believe there is something to be said for restorative justice.
ReplyDeleteThe court sytem can be so frustrating for everyone involved -especially the victims and their families - that RJ can be much more satisfying to them than the judicial system.
I feel it is appropriate for non-violent crimes, and the offender is given this one chance to stay clean, otherwise they need to face the music in court.