New Publication by Susan Sharpe from Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives Association

Developing Ethics Frameworks for the Practice of Restorative Justice

http://www.cjibc.org/walking_the_talk

Georgia Straight article by Evelyn Zellerer

Evelyn Zellerer: Restorative justice would help Vancouver heal after riot

By Evelyn Zellerer, June 24, 2011

I, like so many others, was horrified by the Vancouver riot. I applaud the heroes who bravely stood up against those who were looting and assaulting that night and the volunteers who cleaned up our city the next morning. The central question now is: how do we respond to those who participated in rioting? What is the healthiest way for us as a community to move forward?

I am noticing two forms of justice happening: vigilante and criminal justice. It’s time Vancouver used restorative justice to meet the needs of victims, hold offenders accountable, support healing, and build community.

The community is rightfully outraged and people are speaking up, as they should. Social media has become a powerful tool to express our emotions and to identify the rioters. We should be uncomfortable though with reactions which come perilously close to the behaviour of the rioters they condemn. An online mob mentality seems to have developed. There have been threats and the family of one offender left their home out of fear. We cannot stoop to violence ourselves, in any form. As Martin Luther King said, “Let no man pull you low enough to hate him” and “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.”

The other option we’re turning to is the criminal justice system. Clearly there were many criminal acts that night. People have put a lot of energy into identifying those who participated in the riot and the police are busy sorting through evidence and making some arrests. I think the rioters should be identified. We should question though what happens after the police make arrests?

Best case scenario in criminal justice is that there is sufficient, legally usable evidence and those who rioted are charged. Their crimes then become against the state and professionals like lawyers and judges take over. The rioters and their families who can afford it hire lawyers. An already overburdened court gets more cases to hear; there will be delays. There will be an adversarial battle between the lawyer representing the accused and the Crown prosecuting. Plea bargaining will take place.

There are not many sentencing options available to courts: fines, probation, community service, or prison. I’ve heard calls for “throwing the book at them” and “punished to the greatest extent possible”. This would mean imprisonment. So “success” in this case would result in taxpayer’s dollars spent locking people up.

Will this result in justice, healing, and resolution? I don’t think it does. Some would be temporarily satisfied, perhaps feeling a sense of revenge. But have we and the offenders really learned anything? Have we evolved somehow as individuals and as a community? And what of the victims? They are basically excluded in this legal process, except as witnesses if it actually goes to a trial. The community? We don’t have a place within the criminal justice process.

Declaring war on rioters is not effective or healthy.

There is another option, one that is more powerful: restorative justice. This is a different framework than criminal justice or vigilante justice. It starts from a different place and asks different questions. Instead of crime being a violation of the law and state, crime is a violation of people and relationships. Instead of requiring authorities to determine legal guilt and impose punishment, justice is a process whereby all parties involved (victims, offenders, community, professionals) come together to understand what truly happened and to collectively resolve how to deal with the aftermath, how to make things right to the greatest extent possible. The focus is on victim needs, offender responsibility, and community building.

I am haunted by the images of victims, like the man who tried to stop rioters only to be beaten unconscious. There are so many ripples of harm caused to innocent people, like those who were locked inside a downtown building while fires burned outside and those hiding in terror while looters ran rampant in the store. I cannot stand the thought of victims just going home, left to pick up the pieces with little or no support and no opportunity to tell their offenders directly what they need to say. I think they have a right to use their own voice in a justice process and to receive support for their healing.

I also cannot stand the thought of all those who rioted having no consequences, ineffective sentences, or filling up our prisons where they will learn more about crime and violence. I want offenders to directly face their victims and their community, understand the full extent of their actions, make amends, and learn some things of value. And we need to find out what is going on in their world and what they need to be non-violent, healthy, contributing citizens. Like it or not, they are a part of our community too. Even if they go to prison, they will return. There is no enemy. It’s only us.

Let me set the record straight: restorative justice is not soft on crime. Think about if you hurt someone: what would be the hardest thing to do? I’m sure it would be to directly face those you harmed and sit alongside your family/peers/community in determining the consequences.

We have far greater creativity in restorative justice in determining what needs to happen for amends and making things right. Restorative justice has successfully been used with all kinds of conflict, including serious crimes like assault and murder.

We as a community have a lot to learn as well. It is good that we are questioning why the riot happened at all. It is easy to punish some people and think this solves things. It doesn’t. There are deeper questions.

Vancouver has the opportunity to step up and move forward in a world-class way.

http://www.straight.com/article-400781/vancouver/evelyn-zellerer-restorative-justice-would-help-vancouver-heal-after-riot

Please join us in celebrating Liz Elliot!

Congratulations to Liz Elliott, Recipient of the 2010 National Ron Wiebe Restorative Justice Award

Awarded November 16 th , 2010.

Please see the attached announcement and Celebrate with Us! CLICK HERE: liz

Join us in honouring Liz Elliott and celebrating her contributions to restorative practice.

What : An Afternoon reception of recognition and celebration. Light refreshments will be served.

When : Saturday, November 27 th 1 pm -4 pm

Who : Anyone in the restorative justice community who has worked with Liz.

Where : Best Western 32281 Lougheed Highway, Mission BC ( click here for a google map)  604•820•5500

RSVP : If you wish to attend this event PLEASE REGISTER by contacting Lyndafg@telus.net by 4 pm on Thursday, November 25 th .

Lynda will need your name and email address or telephone number.  Space is limited and priority will be given to those who have registered.

 

Event: In Search of Healing Wisdom: Community Dialogue

Please find the invitation at In Search of Healing Wisdom

This event is taking place in Mission, BC, Saturday, December 4th, and will feature a presentation on Youth and Ethnic Gangs, RJ, and Crime Control by Juan Marcellus Tauri, followed by a World Cafe – style dialogue.

- Cathie

Heartspeak Productions

PO Box 1086,

Kaslo, BC V0G 1M0

(250) 353 – 7779

www.heartspeakproductions.ca

http://www.youtube.com/heartspeak

 

The Corrections Committee Presents a Public Forum : To promote safer communities through the vision of Restorative Justice

Telling the Truth about the Criminal Justice System

MIC Poster

Speaker: Lorraine Berzins

Community Chair of Justice

Church Council on Justice and Corrections

Wednesday, October 20, 7:30 pm

Canadian Mennonite University

Laudamus Auditorium (north campus)

500 Shaftesbury Boulevard at Grant (front entrance)

Winnipeg, MB

For more information please phone (204) 772 2892

Promoting: Restorative Justice Week, November 14-21, 2010 – Reflexions: Past, Present and Future at www.ccjc.ca, www.csc-scc.gc.ca, and www.johnhoward.ca.

March 2011: A Dialogue on Family Violence in Culturally Diverse Communities

A Dialogue on Family Violence in Culturally Diverse Communities: Practical Approaches to Prevention and Response

Date: 6-8 March 2011 (Sunday evening though Tuesday; anticipated dates, pending confirmation of funding)

Location: Toronto

Registration Cost: $395 plus taxes (includes breakfasts, lunches, conference dinner and breaks)

CONFERENCE FLYER conference flyer

Heartspeak Productions is pleased to announce four new youtube videos:

Elder George Isbister (30 min.) <http://www.youtube.com/heartspeak>
George Isbister, Elder to the National Parole Board (retired) talks about his life, his work in corrections, restorative justice and his relationship with the late Ron Weibe, former Wardern of Ferndale and Elbow Lake Correctional Institutions.  From the 6th International Conference on Restorative Justice June 1-4th, 2003 in Vancouver, BC, hosted by the Centre for Restorative Justice, Simon Fraser University.

Defining Restorative Justice (20 min.) <http://www.youtube.com/user/heartspeak#p/u/1/ylnjvIbRbWM>
Excerpt from Talking Justice – Talking Justice is a conversation between Larry Moore, community justice advocate and producer director of Heartspeak Productions and Gerry Johnstone, Professor of Law at the University of Hull, UK about crucial issues and possible limits faced by proponents of restorative practices. Tensions and common ground between the different values of three key concepts of restorative justice; encounter, reparation and transformation, are explored.  Conversation from the ‘hub’ at the 2nd International Conference on Restorative Practices: Widening Our Lens, Connecting Our Practice hosted by Restorative Practices International in partnership with the Centre for Restorative Justice, Simon Fraser University May 31st – June 5th, 2009. (DVD 45 min. available at http://www.heartspeakproductions.ca <http://www.heartspeakproductions.ca/> )

Awkward Conversations on the Contested Community (6 min.) <http://www.youtube.com/user/heartspeak#p/u/0/PtphiRdq4_E>
Excerpt from Awkward Conversations on the Contested Community – In this presentation professor Harry Mika from Central Michigan University considers some strains of the theoretical ‘debate’ on community in restorative justice circles, but argues for embedding the discussion at the coal face of societal conflict transformation.  Case studies include violence intervention and demobilization / transformation work in Northern Ireland, South Africa, Colombia, Rwanda and Canada.  An empirical grounding reveals that debates about justice lay bare fundamental assumptions and aspirations about community. From David and Cecilia Ting Occasional Forum on Justice Policy sponsored by the Centre for Restorative Justice, Simon Fraser University
(DVD 55 min. available at http://www.heartspeakproductions.ca <http://www.heartspeakproductions.ca/> )

Working Across Silos – A Families, Schools, Police and Community Partnership (2 min.) <http://www.youtube.com/user/heartspeak#p/u/3/ogNA-qYZ6Rs>
Short clip from Working Across Silos – with Sergeant Barry McIntosh and Constable Kevin Mack.  Using Restorative Practices and Family Community Group Conferencing this project aims to enhance relationships between young people, families, schools and community organizations. The partners (being health organizations, police and education) recognize that better educational and health outcomes are achieved for young people when a collaborative partnership exists between families and the broader school community.   The aim of this practice is to break the cycle of disengagement and disadvantage through early intervention.   Conversation from the ‘hub’ at the 2nd International Conference on Restorative Practices: Widening Our Lens, Connecting Our Practice held May 31st – June 5th 2009 In Vancouver, BC.  hosted by Restorative Practices International in partnership with the Centre for Restorative Justice, Simon Fraser University
(DVD 36 min. available at http://www.heartspeakproductions.ca) <http://www.heartspeakproductions.ca%29/>

Have you been inspired by heartspeak’s videos?  There are several different ways you can participate and help;

Watch the videos on heartspeak’s youtube channe <http://www.youtube.com/heartspeak> l – give a thumbs up, share on facebook, subscribe, leave a comment or embed heartspeak’s videos on your own website or blog.

Use the videos as dialogue starters – watch a video, sit in circle and pass a talking piece.

Link to Heartspeak Productions website <http://www.heartspeakproductions.ca/> , youtube channel <http://youtube.com/heartspeak> , or face book page <http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heartspeak-Productions/121032784576841?ref=sgm> .

Send Heartspeak a review. <mailto:hartspk@telus.net>

Ask for Heartspeak Productions DVD’s at your public library.

Purchase a DVD <http://www.heartspeakproductions.ca/>  – watch it with others, recommend it to others, donate it to your public library, local school or community non profit service agency or pass it on to anyone who you think might benefit or have interest.

Heartspeak Productions has persevered by self funding virtually all of our productions and educational events.  Any profits we make go towards funding more videos and educational projects.

Thanks for your interest and support!

Cathie Douglas and Larry Moore

Heartspeak Productions
PO Box 1086
Kaslo, BC
V0G 1M0
250.353.7779
http://www.heartspeakproductions.ca
http://www.youtube.com/heartspeak

Introducing CJI’s new website!

We are delighted to announce Community Justice Initiatives’ newly re-designed website.  As the board and staff discussed ways to mark our 25th Anniversary, they decided to develop a fresh new look for the organization.

Please feel free to take a look around at www.cjibc.org

4TH ANNUAL ALBERTA RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CONFERENCE

4TH ANNUAL ALBERTA RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CONFERENCE

November 19 -20 2010

Grant MacEwan University

Robbin Health Learning Centre

109 St & 104 Ave Edmonton AB

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: ENGAGING COMMUNITIES

ARJA 2010 Brochure

ARJA 2010 Registration Form

Key Note speakers: Dr. Pierre Allard Dr. Val Napoleon

Eight workshops relating Restorative Justice to different groups within communities.

Pre-Conference Training Session: Nov. 18-19th with Kay Pranis

For more information/registration contact web-site at www.arjassoc.ca or e-mail info@arjassoc.ca

Hosted by: Alberta Restorative Justice Association

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH:

Edmonton Restorative Justice Network

Grant MacEwan University

Mustard Seed

Edmonton Office of Social Justice

Catholic Archdiocese of Edmonton

Solicitor General and Public Security

Jodi Cadman to speak on meeting her brother’s killer

Aldergrove Star - News

September 23, 2010

In October, 1992, Jesse Cadman, son of the late Chuck and current MP Dona Cadman, was attacked and murdered at a bus stop in Surrey.

Seventeen years later, Jesse’s sister, Jodi, met with Isaac, the man responsible for her brother’s death, through the Victim Offender Mediation Program operated by Langley’s Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives Association (CJI).

On Friday, Oct. 22, Jodi will tell her story at CJI’s annual fundraising dinner, which will also commemorate the agency’s 25th anniversary.

Jodi is a captivating speaker who is candid about the impact of her brother’s death on her and her family. Jesse’s death is what prompted her father Chuck to go into politics. After Chuck’s passing, his wife Dona followed in his footsteps.

Daughter Jodi’s life has not been an easy journey. Her story is one of courage, resiliency, and the importance of compassionate, supportive friends and family.

Two years ago, when it appeared that Isaac would be coming before the parole board for the first time, Jodi submitted a letter to the board stating that she was not so much interested in writing about the ongoing impact of Jesse’s loss on her as she was in knowing what Isaac had been doing while incarcerated.

Isaac responded by writing a letter to Jodi, offering to answer her questions. This began the chain of events that lead to Jodi travelling across the country to participate in a facilitated meeting with Isaac in November 2009.

She will speak about her experience of healing and transformation at Newlands Golf and Country Club, 21025-48 Ave., on Oct. 22. Doors open at 6 p.m., dinner is at 7. There will also be a silent auction.

LINK: CJI 25th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraising Gala

Proceeds from the dinner will be used to support CJI’s restorative justice programs including the Educating for Peacebuilding Program which has been operating in the Langley School District for 10 years. For information contact Rose or Jennifer at 604-534-5515 or order tickets online at www.cjibc.org.