The healing power of dialogue was the theme for a symposium held recently at San Quentin’s Catholic Chapel. About 100 community members, and offenders practicing the principles of Restorative Justice, sat in roundtables discussing the harm crime does to the community.
“It’s heart-warming to see the growth of Restorative Justice. Restorative Justice is looking for ways to repair harm. The victim/offender dialogue helps do this by bringing us together to tell stories. The traditional ways of justice don’t do this,” said sponsor Jack Dyson.
Poet and emcee Jelal Huyler’s Haiku (Japanese verse) put the symposium into perspective:
Respect is simple
Look me in the eye, speak to
Me with open ears
RJ facilitators say crime is a violation of dignity and of relationships. RJ identifies the needs of stakeholders of crime, including, the victim, community and offended by promoting responsibility of all sides and prescribes cooperative dialogue to seek restoration of damage caused by the offender’s crime.
San Quentin Restorative Justice Round Table, established in 2004, says its mission is: To advocate for restorative principles, processes and goals with all stakeholders impacted by crime. To advocate for the teaching and implementation of restorative justice fundamentals within the general public and our faith based communities. To advocate for peace, empathy, compassion, and justice for all human beings.
“We’ve created a system that’s outsourced harm,” said Sonya, a sponsor. “When harm happens, it hurts everyone in the community.”
RJ principles are also applied in the local community. One sponsor, known as Ms. Jen, works with men detained in Santa Rita Jail. She said RJ sessions are held in the jail with up to 80 men attending.
Ms. Jen says the support of the community is encouraging; however, additional funding is needed.
Jelal Huyler on-line: jelal.livejournal.com
