The Restorative Justice movement – aimed at healing crime victims, offenders, their families and the community – has rippled out of San Quentin State Prison into use with juveniles in schools.
“A handful of people can and do make a difference,” said community member Rose Elizondo during a recent Restorative Justice symposium in San Quentin.
“A lot of this started here. Malachi (Gary Scott, former sports editor of San Quentin News) was somebody who was locked up, paroled and then we co-founded the North Oakland Restorative Justice Council,” she added.
“Parolee Kevin Tinsdale wants to start a RJ reentry house. The idea for the juvenile lifer group Kid C.A.T. happened in a healing circle. It’s just beautiful, these ripple effects.”
Restorative Justice is about dealing with criminal wrongdoing in a way that focuses on restoration instead of a punishment, which often does more harm than good.
The San Quentin RJ group started in 2004 and is expanding inside and outside the walls.
“I’m planning to be a public defender, and I think that there is a lot of room in the criminal justice system for incorporating RJ principles,” said Olivia Taylor, a UC Berkeley Law school student. “I also want to use it in my personal life. People avoid talking about uncomfortable things in private life, but it’s really cathartic.”
“We are all wise men for going through this prison experience,” said inmate Dwight Krizman. “Most people have not gone through this and gained this insight.”
Master of ceremonies Louis Scott read an article called Restorative Justice has Become a Vital Tool for School, by Fania E. Davis, at the Dec. 13 event.
The article said Oakland Youth’s use of Restorative Justice in middle schools has reduced suspension rates by 87 percent, reduced violence and teacher attrition and improved academic outcomes.
The school board adopted Restorative Justice as official policy in 2010 and its concepts are used in about 30 Oakland schools. A school district report states that from 2011-2014:
Suspensions of African-American students for defiance decreased by 40 percent,
Harm was repaired in 70 percent of the cases of conflict circles,
Students were learning to talk instead of fight through differences at home and at school,
Graduation rates and test scores were increasing while chronic absence and dropout rates were decreasing.
Oakland’s Community Works West reports it has launched a restorative diversion pilot that is dramatically reducing recidivism.
People in the North Oakland RJ Council paint murals, plant trees and facilitate healing circles after youth homicides. Police and probation officers are being trained in restorative justice principles, according to the article.
Guest speaker Orlando Bishop is a founder of Shade Tree Multi-Culture Foundation. The foundation has been active for 20 years and has trained mentors working throughout the U.S., Mexico, Europe, Germany, Sweden, West and South Africa and Brazil.
“I absolutely think it’s making a difference,” said Bishop.
He works with people in Los Angeles, mentoring and helping them leave the gang life. He aided in negotiating the 1992 peace treaty between Bloods and Crips that lasted 12 years in Watts.
Bishop’s teachings come from a mix of Zulu, Western and other philosophies. He spoke about his method called the Genesis Pathway. It starts with acknowledging the power of your word.
“When I express my word through my deeds, I’m giving you something that’s part of me. It gives power to agreements,” said Bishop.
Bishop also expounded on how learning about ancestors is important because it influences the human capacity to have a connection to something much larger.
“My life is an extension of other people’s lives, so I’m not in this world by myself; I’m connected to ancestry and their hopes and contribution are still living in me,” said Bishop. “I’m also a host for the future.”
Prisoner Demond Lewis, who is serving 109 years to life for shooting a man in the leg, gave a personal testimony about the ripple effects his conduct has on his family.
“When I shot Sherman, I never knew that one bullet would cause not only him pain, but my family and friends as well,” said Lewis.
Lewis’s little brother, sister and daughter all followed his footsteps into prison.
“This is the negative ripple that I created amongst my family,” said Lewis. “I never had a father, never knew what a man is supposed to do. I now know real men take responsibility for their actions. The gift I’ve learned from RJ is giving me the tools to build and strengthen my community.”
Influenced by his positive changes, Lewis’ little brother got his GED and his daughter paroled and is back in school.
“We can change and have a positive effect on those we connect with,” said Lewis, leaving the podium with tears in his eyes.
Jamie Sanchez, a member of the Spanish-language RJ group in San Quentin, followed with testimony about how the destruction he has caused his family is even worse for the victim.
“It doesn’t matter how many programs I take, I can’t change a death,” said Sanchez. “I’m honoring what I did … I am giving back for my victims because they deserve better.”
Inmate Chris Gallo discussed his transformation from “Boomer,” a skinhead filled with anger and pain, into Chris, who “just broke bread” with Moe (Darnell Washington).
“Moe’s my friend in different color skin. Pain brought me here, but love keeps me coming back,” said Gallo.
Inmate RJ coordinators led the symposium in a discussion of accountability, responsibility, vulnerability and healing.
“Taking accountability took a long time because I blamed everyone else for what I did and found justifications. When I started to accept responsibility, I began to interact with people better and love myself better,” said Scott.
Krizman read inmate Danny Plunket’s letter about responsibility on his behalf.
“Lawyers won’t let you confess because it gives prosecutor advantage,” read aloud Krizman. “Being responsible provides vindication for victims and helps them start their healing journey and helps offenders start theirs.”
Mike Webb tackled vulnerability.
“To be vulnerable takes honesty, strength, humility and courage,” said Webb.
He told the audience about a letter he wrote to his grandpa, who was murdered when Webb was 10 years old.
“I’ll always remember how you used to throw me in the air and catch me … because you made me feel loved. I used your murder and my father’s abandonment as an excuse to commit crimes. Grandpa, will you please forgive me for doing wrong? I dedicate my life to helping other people,” said Webb without a trace of the big smile he normally displays.
Washington dealt with healing by telling a story of a boy who held up a sign during an Eric Garner protest that read “Free hugs.” In the middle of the demonstration, a police officer walked over and hugged the boy.
“We sit in circles; we talk about everything we’ve been through, and we heal,” said Washington. “They don’t do that out there … everybody is separated.”
“I wanted to give gratitude to all the men in blue here,” said Sandy Claire, a community member. “You create this chalice of authenticity, honesty and willingness for us to come to. That’s why we come back …. because of you guys.”
“I was blown away by the insights that you have,” said Caitlin York, a student who sits in RJ circles most Thursday nights in San Quentin.
“Some people go to church or synagogue, but when I want to find real spiritual depth, I go to San Quentin,” said Bruce Berkowitz, an older community member.
Dacher Keltner, a previous RJ symposium speaker, commented, “I come back for the truth and wisdom.”
