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The practices of restorative justice are centuries old. They were present in the days of the early church and reflect the most basic tenets of Catholic Social Teaching:
What is Restorative Justice?
Restorative justice is a philosophy and an approach that looks at conflict and harm through the lens of all impacted and works collectively to bring them into right relationship with God and one another.
It holds offenders accountable even as it opens paths to healing, especially with victims. And it addresses the needs of everyone impacted by crime: victims, offenders, families, communities, and those working in the criminal justice system.
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U.S. Bishops have advocated for a more humane approach called “Restorative Justice” to repair the harm caused by criminal behavior to the best extent possible.
The growing social justice movement encourages victims, offenders and their impacted communities to fully participate in the healing process through victim/offender dialogue, restitution, victim and ex-offender assistance, sentencing circles and community service.
By participating in victim-centered programs, offenders see firsthand the impact of their crimes. Restorative justice is about addressing the rights and needs of everyone impacted by crime in a balanced way – victims, offenders and the community.
Learn more about Restorative Justice at dioceseoffresno.org/restorative-justice-month
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The tragedy of violent crime has impacted Rita Chairez and her close-knit Latino family twice with the loss of her brothers. Rita struggled with her own efforts at forgiveness yet believed in the faith-based process.
“I think that’s the only way you can restore a relationship, by working it out and having people take accountability for what they’ve done,” Rita said. “It has to be full circle, with the perpetrator, the justice system and the victim in the middle. I believe that when you have everybody involved, that’s when restorative justice happens.”
Learn more about Restorative Justice at dioceseoffresno.org/restorative-justice-month
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While serving time for his serious crimes, Joe Aleman joined a Criminal and Gang Members Anonymous group which practiced restorative justice. Once released from prison, he took full responsibility for his destructive lifestyle by doing outreach and motivational speaking to other gang members.
“Taking responsibility for past activities restored justice within myself,” Joe recalled. “So, for me, ‘Restorative Justice’ means hope for both the victim and offender. Everybody’s hoping for forgiveness and for a future.”
Learn more about Restorative Justice at dioceseoffresno.org/restorative-justice-month
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Deacon Clyde Davis has been helping prisoners find restorative justice as a chaplain at the California Correctional institute in Tehachapi. He believes that restorative justice fosters personal transformation. Moreover, it restores dignity and a sense of self-worth to the incarcerated, helping them feel whole again.
“What restorative justice means to me is trying to make things right. There’s been victims and perpetrators. So, it’s trying to put things back together. And it takes both sides,” Deacon Clyde states.
Learn more about Restorative Justice at dioceseoffresno.org/restorative-justice-month
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Suzanne Neuhaus has worked for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation for 21 years. During much of her criminal justice career, she has tried to bring a sense of restorative justice to both the victim and offender.
“Restorative justice is a lens to look at crime and violence and who is impacted by it,” she explains. Healing lives in the aftermath of crime is no easy feat for either the victim or offender, however Neuhaus has witnessed firsthand the healing results of restorative justice when it does take place.
“You see changes in attitudes, values and beliefs which have cultivated criminal activity. You see tremendous satisfaction in both parties. I’ve seen it. Restorative justice works,” Neuhaus admits.
Learn more about Restorative Justice at dioceseoffresno.org/restorative-justice-month