LOOKING AT THE ALTERNATIVES

TO THE PUNITIVE APPROACH

Restorative justice was the focus of the second half of Chapter 10 in both the Ninth and Tenth Editions.

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LEGACY OF A HEROIC NYPD OFFICER WHO SOUGHT RECONCILIATION WITH HIS ASSAILANT

Presents an obituary that reviews the accomplishments of a pioneer in victim-offender reconciliation.

A courageous policeman who was a widely respected role model for the ideal of  forgiveness and reconciliation has passed away, in part from his wounds inflicted by his attacker decades ago, as recounted in this video.

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WOMAN AGREES TO MEDIATION WITH A FEMALE POLICE OFFICER WHO MISTAKENLY SHOT HER

The officer faced criminal charges for mistakenly firing her gun which she thought was her taser. The victim suffered PTSD and internal injuries, but she was willing to accept the cop’s profuse apologies, as recounted here.

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SHOULD VICTIMS HAVE A “RIGHT” TO SEEK RESTORATIVE JUSTICE?

This bold proposal puts forward a “new right” for victims to give peaceful solutions a chance: face-to-face meetings, negotiations, settlements, restitution by the offender to the victim, as spelled out here.

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RESEARCH SUGGESTS THAT A RESTORATIVE JUSTICE APPROACH MAY BE MORE EFFECTIVE THAN THE PUNITIVE APPROACH WHEN DEALING WITH HATE CRIMES

Offenders who commit hate crimes can be subject to enhanced penalties. But it seems that victim-offender meets, mediation, and restitution might serve the victims and their affected families and communities better, as explored here.