Comments for Restorative Justice & Other Public Health Approaches for Healing http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog Transforming Conflict into Resiliency Wed, 08 Sep 2010 11:42:45 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on APAC: Brazil’s Restorative Justice Prisons by   Lawyers promote restorative justice & therapeutic jurisprudence by Restorative Justice & Other Public Health Approaches for Healing http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=102#comment-6729   Lawyers promote restorative justice & therapeutic jurisprudence by Restorative Justice & Other Public Health Approaches for Healing Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:42:25 +0000 http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=102#comment-6729 [...] furthered the restorative justice movement include Daniel Van Ness author of many publications; Mario Ottoboni who conceived of the idea of restorative prisons in Brazil; Sunny Schwartz author of Dreams of the [...] [...] furthered the restorative justice movement include Daniel Van Ness author of many publications; Mario Ottoboni who conceived of the idea of restorative prisons in Brazil; Sunny Schwartz author of Dreams of the [...]

]]> Comment on APAC: Brazil’s Restorative Justice Prisons by Lorenn http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=102#comment-6725 Lorenn Mon, 16 Aug 2010 18:17:42 +0000 http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=102#comment-6725 Hi Melanie, It looks like a good book and I will try to read it in the next few months and will leave another comment after I do. Thank you again for posting information about it and for all your hard work in writing it! Aloha, Lorenn Hi Melanie, It looks like a good book and I will try to read it in the next few months and will leave another comment after I do. Thank you again for posting information about it and for all your hard work in writing it! Aloha, Lorenn

]]> Comment on APAC: Brazil’s Restorative Justice Prisons by Melanie G. Snyder http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=102#comment-6724 Melanie G. Snyder Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:20:40 +0000 http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=102#comment-6724 Thanks for the Ode Magazine link and the link to the CentrePeace website, Lorenn. As you've probably figured out, I was the one who wrote the book about Marie Hamilton's work - she's inspired me so much, I just can't stop telling people about her and CentrePeace, the RJ-based organization she founded. Sales of the book, Grace Goes to Prison, benefit the continuing RJ work of CentrePeace. The book was published through a tiny non-profit church-based publishing house with few resources to get her story out there to the big wide world - so I've been looking for creative ways to spread the word. Let me know if you have any advice about other ways you're aware of to let people know about Marie Hamilton, CentrePeace and Grace Goes to Prison. Thanks for the Ode Magazine link and the link to the CentrePeace website, Lorenn. As you’ve probably figured out, I was the one who wrote the book about Marie Hamilton’s work - she’s inspired me so much, I just can’t stop telling people about her and CentrePeace, the RJ-based organization she founded. Sales of the book, Grace Goes to Prison, benefit the continuing RJ work of CentrePeace. The book was published through a tiny non-profit church-based publishing house with few resources to get her story out there to the big wide world - so I’ve been looking for creative ways to spread the word.
Let me know if you have any advice about other ways you’re aware of to let people know about Marie Hamilton, CentrePeace and Grace Goes to Prison.

]]> Comment on APAC: Brazil’s Restorative Justice Prisons by Lorenn http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=102#comment-6722 Lorenn Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:39:40 +0000 http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=102#comment-6722 Thank you Melanie. I will read the book about Marie Hamilton's work! Here is a blog too about her work:http://www.odemagazine.com/blogs/intelligent_optimists/13788/marie_hamilton And this is the website about the organization implementing her programs:http://www.centrepeace.org/ Thank you Melanie. I will read the book about Marie Hamilton’s work! Here is a blog too about her work:http://www.odemagazine.com/blogs/intelligent_optimists/13788/marie_hamilton And this is the website about the organization implementing her programs:http://www.centrepeace.org/

]]> Comment on APAC: Brazil’s Restorative Justice Prisons by Melanie G. Snyder http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=102#comment-6721 Melanie G. Snyder Mon, 16 Aug 2010 10:02:35 +0000 http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=102#comment-6721 In the United States, in Pennsylvania state prisons, a woman named Marie Hamilton implemented programs over a 33 year period to do what the Brazilian APAC prisons do: "make people feel worthy, respected, and able to restore their lives and give them hope that they can contribute something to help others and that they can be of service in some way, no matter what their situation." Marie Hamilton helped incarcerated men & women in PA to start an annual statewide charity event to raise money to help at-risk children - PA prisoners have since raised over a quarter of a million to benefit at-risk youth through this event; she created a program for people in the community to create Christmas cards for prisoners every year to let them know they are loved; these are just a few of the programs she created. For more information on how these types of programs were implemented in Pennsylvania (and an incredible & inspiring story of the difference that offering respect and compassion can make), read: Grace Goes to Prison: An Inspiring Story of Hope & Humanity (available through Amazon.com). In the United States, in Pennsylvania state prisons, a woman named Marie Hamilton implemented programs over a 33 year period to do what the Brazilian APAC prisons do: “make people feel worthy, respected, and able to restore their lives and give them hope that they can contribute something to help others and that they can be of service in some way, no matter what their situation.” Marie Hamilton helped incarcerated men & women in PA to start an annual statewide charity event to raise money to help at-risk children - PA prisoners have since raised over a quarter of a million to benefit at-risk youth through this event; she created a program for people in the community to create Christmas cards for prisoners every year to let them know they are loved; these are just a few of the programs she created. For more information on how these types of programs were implemented in Pennsylvania (and an incredible & inspiring story of the difference that offering respect and compassion can make), read: Grace Goes to Prison: An Inspiring Story of Hope & Humanity (available through Amazon.com).

]]> Comment on Federal Measures Before Congress that Can Help Promote Restorative Justice by Ella Robinson http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=96#comment-6683 Ella Robinson Tue, 18 May 2010 06:52:58 +0000 http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=96#comment-6683 What is the best way to recover from Substance Abuse ?:-: What is the best way to recover from Substance Abuse ?:-:

]]> Comment on Restorative Justice Protects Victims While Retributive Justice Seeks Revenge by Carissa Phelps http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=84#comment-6364 Carissa Phelps Tue, 26 Jan 2010 21:10:46 +0000 http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=84#comment-6364 I was the victim of rape, prostitution, and human trafficking as a child. I was 12 years old and had no idea that what was being done to me was a crime. Now that I am in my 30's I would love to have my day in court, but not publicly, that would be too much, even for me -- even after I "came out" publicly with my story. A thought: It's important to remember why the DA lacks sensitivity -- the truth is that most victims (especially minor victims) do not report sexual offenses and so the DA never even gets a chance to meet the victims. A restorative justice approach may teach us all more about WHY victims do not report, thereby helping to bridge this gaping flaw in the current system. Thanks! Carissa I was the victim of rape, prostitution, and human trafficking as a child. I was 12 years old and had no idea that what was being done to me was a crime. Now that I am in my 30’s I would love to have my day in court, but not publicly, that would be too much, even for me — even after I “came out” publicly with my story.

A thought: It’s important to remember why the DA lacks sensitivity — the truth is that most victims (especially minor victims) do not report sexual offenses and so the DA never even gets a chance to meet the victims. A restorative justice approach may teach us all more about WHY victims do not report, thereby helping to bridge this gaping flaw in the current system.

Thanks!
Carissa

]]> Comment on Restorative Justice Protects Victims While Retributive Justice Seeks Revenge by Lorenn http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=84#comment-6294 Lorenn Wed, 13 Jan 2010 03:46:19 +0000 http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=84#comment-6294 Hi Mary, I am sorry you read this post as some sort of defense for sexual abuse and possible suggestion that "all criminals [should] leave the country and wait out their victims journey of healing and recovery then get the sentence etc. that the victim wants 30 years after the crime." This blog entry is about what happened in the recent past for this particular person who was harmed again, this time by the LA prosecutor who ignored her needs regarding an ancient case. The prosecutor released the entire grand jury transcripts of what happened, which further harmed her. I believe that it is wrong for the LA prosecutor to ignore her needs as she describes, and it's just as wrong to hurt any person sexually or in any other way. I don't condone bad behavior by anyone including prosecutors or the government. Thank you for your comments and I will work harder to be more specific in the future. aloha, Lorenn Hi Mary,

I am sorry you read this post as some sort of defense for sexual abuse and possible suggestion that “all criminals [should] leave the country and wait out their victims journey of healing and recovery then get the sentence etc. that the victim wants 30 years after the crime.”

This blog entry is about what happened in the recent past for this particular person who was harmed again, this time by the LA prosecutor who ignored her needs regarding an ancient case. The prosecutor released the entire grand jury transcripts of what happened, which further harmed her. I believe that it is wrong for the LA prosecutor to ignore her needs as she describes, and it’s just as wrong to hurt any person sexually or in any other way. I don’t condone bad behavior by anyone including prosecutors or the government.

Thank you for your comments and I will work harder to be more specific in the future.

aloha, Lorenn

]]> Comment on Restorative Justice Protects Victims While Retributive Justice Seeks Revenge by Mary Achilles http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=84#comment-6293 Mary Achilles Wed, 13 Jan 2010 02:10:15 +0000 http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=84#comment-6293 I am a little late in replying but I came across this post and felt a need to reply. I think it is interesting that you are usuing a headline/news situation to advance restorative justice on behalf of victims in the same way that justice folks and politicians have done so for decades. Politicians have used - intentionally or not - victims in advancing whatever thier position on crime has been for my 30 years in the justice system. In the first few paragraphs of your blog you are doing exactly the same with this highly publized case. Restorative justice does not meant that there is not a role for the state in this situation and it certainly does not mean that victims will get what they want each and every step of the way. Should all criminals leave the country wait out thier victims journey of healing and recovering and then get the sentence etc. that the victim wants 30 years after the crime? Wow what a system of restorative justice that would be. Roman Polansku comitted a crime agianst a minor. Is is a predetor sexual offender? I suspect not. But what he did was wrong, it was a crime and is punishable in every state in this country - as it should be. We cannot advance restorative justice on headline news and what seems to be your position that restortive justice in this case would be better than someone be held accountable for the crime he was convicted of. Fleeing the country to avoid punishment should never be used to advance the merits of restorative justice! You are now using victims to advance your agenda. I have been an advocate for vicims for many years and have championed restorative justice but cringe at your comments. I am a little late in replying but I came across this post and felt a need to reply. I think it is interesting that you are usuing a headline/news situation to advance restorative justice on behalf of victims in the same way that justice folks and politicians have done so for decades. Politicians have used - intentionally or not - victims in advancing whatever thier position on crime has been for my 30 years in the justice system. In the first few paragraphs of your blog you are doing exactly the same with this highly publized case.

Restorative justice does not meant that there is not a role for the state in this situation and it certainly does not mean that victims will get what they want each and every step of the way. Should all criminals leave the country wait out thier victims journey of healing and recovering and then get the sentence etc. that the victim wants 30 years after the crime? Wow what a system of restorative justice that would be.

Roman Polansku comitted a crime agianst a minor. Is is a predetor sexual offender? I suspect not. But what he did was wrong, it was a crime and is punishable in every state in this country - as it should be. We cannot advance restorative justice on headline news and what seems to be your position that restortive justice in this case would be better than someone be held accountable for the crime he was convicted of. Fleeing the country to avoid punishment should never be used to advance the merits of restorative justice! You are now using victims to advance your agenda.

I have been an advocate for vicims for many years and have championed restorative justice but cringe at your comments.

]]> Comment on San Patrignano: A Model Restorative Community for People with Addiction Problems by Lanre Olagoke http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=18#comment-6291 Lanre Olagoke Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:19:19 +0000 http://www.lorennwalker.com/blog/?p=18#comment-6291 Keep up the good work and hopefully we in London can learn from the great work. Lanre Olagoke (Art-Alive Arts Trust) Keep up the good work and hopefully we in London can learn from the great work. Lanre Olagoke (Art-Alive Arts Trust)

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