Can We Heal Ourselves? Transforming Conflict in the Restorative Justice Movement

Abstract

Divisions within the contemporary restorative justice movement in the US often manifest in one state‐supported model: balanced and restorative justice (BARJ). Paul McCold, in this symposium frames the problem with BARJ as one of a corruption of restorative justice principles by its foundation in community justice. This article suggests that BARJ and McCold’s critique share a neglect of the transformative potential of restorative justice for realizing social and economic justice. Moreover, recent experience indicates that BARJ policy planning can take place in a way supportive of Social Equity Restorative Justice (SERJ). The time appears opportune for some peacemaking within the movement.

Keywords:

• Restorative Justice
• Community Justice
• Social and Economic Justice
• Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ)
• Social Equity Restorative Justice (SERJ)
• Community‐Building Restorative Justice
• Peace Justice

Notes

Douglas Thomson is Chair of the Criminal Justice Department at Chicago State University. Correspondence to: 9501 South King Drive, Chicago, IL 60628, USA. Tel: [phone]; Email: [email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Douglas Thomson

Douglas Thomson is Chair of the Criminal Justice Department at Chicago State University. Correspondence to: 9501 South King Drive, Chicago, IL 60628, USA. Tel: [phone]; Email: [email protected]