Thanks for your comment. I have been pondering it for awhile now, trying to understand your perspective better.

When I mention that Restorative Justice is an illusion I am referring to what I see as RJ’s number one challenge for a wider acceptance. It is simply made out to be too difficult.

Your analysis of different “justice” is spot on. And truly, the discussion around what justice really is in definition is what you are pondering.

I am simply wanting to make RJ more effective for use in schools and small communities because I believe we have pulled away from these ideals in using a more punitive system. I do make the point that even with this system in place many people will incorporate RJ practices in their decision making when looking into punishments. For example, does the offender act accountable and sorry–maybe we will handle the incident one way versus another which is written in a book.

So many people are taking RJ (even this term has multiple definitions and practical actions) and writing up extreme, academic type of manuals and doctrine, creating an illusion that it is challenging and difficult to use in daily situations.

My attempt is to break down the illusion and simply let people know it is a wonderful, easy to use tool and most people already use it–though without intention.

With intention, RJ can have a major impact on our community cultures.

Matt K.

I am not sure that you are spot on with this blog and here is my (current) thinking:

There are different notions of justice making the rounds in our communities. I am aware of several common ones
- justice as punishment (“give them what they deserve”)
- justice as revenge (“because we have suffered they deserve to suffer”)
- justice as a mechanism (“three strikes and you’re out”)
- justice as deterrent (“people need to know they can’t just do these kind of things”; “people need to be safe from criminal acts”)
- justice as restoration ( “the harm done needs to be repaired as much as possible”; “we cannot afford to have people outside our communities and therefore we need to find a way to restore them to proper citizenship”

Of course, these notions are not mutually exclusive. They overlap to a greater or lesser extent… so much to learn. I think the fundamental challenge is that there is not one notion that is the best one – the Law of Tanobway applies: “The ain’t no one best way”. And at the same time there can be a case for each notion in certain circumstances. When things go wrong there are complex matters to be resolved. That why we have judges and juries for the most serious matters.

All the best,

Ivan

As parents we want to “know”, it can be intimidating to try and teach someone something we don’t know much about. It would be well worth the effort, before your teen is charged with a crime, like posession of kiddie porn!

As parents we need to get involved, I got a new droid phone, and the second downloadable “theme” was about marijuana! Then little Wayne! Its out there all over for youth today to be more counter-culture than I ever imagined!

Thanks for engaging parents!