[Date Prev] | [Date Next] | [Thread Prev] | [Thread Next] |
[Date Index] | [Thread Index] | [Author Index] | [Subject Index] |
I am intrigued by the questions and comments that I've received
regarding the values of restorative justice. In 1998. Tom Cavanagh wrote
that there is not consensus on the values of restoration and that may be
diminishing the potential to heal the harm of crime and conflict. Four
years have passed and there are moments when I question if we have
acheived that unity, or if we are at least moving in the right
direction.
Two years ago I sat through a process of a community setting aside
the computers and meeting face to face to discuss the collective values
that they share. The experience was difficult in some respects, yet
ultimately very rewarding. Many communities elect not to work through such
a process and accept a preordianed state of values--which might or might
not reflect the voice of the community. A question or fear is what if the
community does not value restoration. So far we are learning that is less
of a concern than had been anticipated by some.
The difficulty in accepting a general set of values is that they lack
the unique human quality resting within each community. Some of the
identified values of restorative justice to date have been: reparation,
restitution, accountability, blanced focus on victim and offender;
comptency development, apologies, forgiveness, restoration,
reconciliation, reintegration into the community for victims and
offenders; spirituality, peace, justice, cultural diversity, equity,
mercy, atonement, inclusion and love. Many of these values are in the eye
of the beholder .Some are more defined than others. Several are difficult
to measure, yet are infinetly more related to the new paradigm of
resotrative justice than are tools that measure retribution and criminal
justice.
There has been a concern expressed by some that restorative justice
risks becoming, or has become, simply another form of White Man's justice.
A question has come forward as to the role of the death penalty in
restorative justice. I have a good friend who believes that it is possible
for the death penalty to be in alignment with the values of restorative
justice. So far that opinion is in a clear miniority amongst advocates for
restorative justice, but the important thing is that a hard questions are
being asked.
I want to share some more of the current value statements circulating
in the restorative justice community and learn how each resonates with
members of the community.
From Dr. Mark Umbreit VALUE STATEMENT Restorative Justice is a victim-centered response to crime and conflict that provides opportunities for those most directly affected-the victims, the offender (s), their families, and representatives of the community-to be directly involved in responding to the harm caused by the crime or conflict. Restorative Justice is based upon values which emphasize the importance of providing opportunities for more active involvement in the process of:
Mark S. Umbreit, Ph.D. The value statement of the Idaho Department of Corrections Values We commit to helping others ; We focus on quality ; We commit to the professional success of others ; We model what we value ; We serve the entire organization ; We are fair and consistent ; We are honest ; People can change; We foster dignity and respect staff, offenders and the public; We respect and appreciate each other's roles and contributions The Restorative Justice Council of Larimer County started a discussion on values in September 2000. The following is a listing of what they value without specifics of how to implement. Interestingly enough some of the most ideal values are already in practical implementation here in Idaho and Latah County... 1. Forgiveness
|
||||||||||||
|