Restorative Justice: Making a Dream a Reality

"Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can make it so." Belva Davis

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech, I Have a Dream, motivated a nation with its far-reaching vision. Dr. King dreamed of a world with peace and justice as the norm. He did not allow the difficulties, the negative attitudes his dream would provoke, to dissuade him from sacrificing his life to make peace and justice realities.

In 1993, the founding mothers of the Center for Women in Transition had a dream which we are working to make reality: Fifteen to twenty years from now, impelled by our successes and believing in the God-given dignity of each human person, and aware of the need and right which every child has for a stable and nurturing environment, we will collaborate to transform the current retributive justice system into a restorative system."

The current retributive/punitive system is the reality, leaving in its wake splintered families, broken lives, unsatisfied victims. The word itself, retribution,expresses a spirit of vindictiveness, "getting even, pay back time." The relationship is closed, exclusively limited to the offender and the system: "You do the crime; you do the time."

What would happen . . .

What would happen if the victim were the center of the justice process? What if the need to be physically, psychologically, financially restored were the first concern? What if the system looked at all the persons involved--the victim, the offender, the families, and the community?

There is a better way. Each one involved has human rights. Restorative justice brings healing--for everyone involved--victim, offender, families and community. "For the offender, restorative justice means responsibility and accountability, states Sr. Rose, administrator of the Center for Women in Transition. "Instead of focusing on possible ways of punishment, it gives offenders, the victims and the victims' families the opportunity to forgive. In some instances, the offender has a chance to face those harmed to offer repentance."

The Center for Women in Transition addresses this belief by working with women, those incarcerated for nonviolent crimes, assisting them in their transition back to their families, their children and society. Sr. Rose continues, "Our Center is positively affecting the lives of many women by giving them a sense of direction and commitment as they re-enter society."

One of the women, Micki, from our mentor program shares her story:
"I've been out of prison for 18 months--a first for me since I began going to prison in 1981. In the past, upon release from prison, I've been thrown out with nothing. Feeling helpless and hopeless, I eventually returned to steading to support myself. Now I have a mentor who offers cheer, spiritual support and the most wonderful advice. I'm very thankful she was placed in my life. I truly believe that through continuation of this program, many more women can be given the chance to grow and become productive citizens. That is what we genuinely want to be; we just don't know how."

Restorative justice is more than keeping the law, but perfects the law. The law states that a sentence should punish, deter future crime, protect society and rehabilitate the offender. Perfecting the law would seek justice and reconcile those who commit crimes, as well as the victims who have suffered directly from the crime, and society, who is indirectly affected. The current problem with our justice system is that "doing the time" is not working as a solution. Time spent in jail/prison is wasting human potentials.

To get to the point of healing, we must set our sights on what can be. As Belva Davis said so eloquently:

"Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, it you can make it so."

There is a lot of space between the dream and the reality. But our desire can shrink the space of injustice and make the reality TRUTH.