Will Restorative Justice Survive Its Own Success?

Mennonite Central Committee
Saturday, 11 March 2000

WINNIPEG, Man. -- The criminal justice system's growing interest in restorative justice has some of MCC's restorative justice advocates and practitioners wondering if it will survive its own success.

Will the vision for a restorative approach in the justice system--based on truth-telling and healing, not judgement and punishment--be co-opted by governments trying to cut costs in an overheated criminal justice system? Can the vision for healing and restoration survive institutionalization?

These questions were explored by over 50 participants in a restorative justice gathering in Winnipeg in mid-February. The meeting drew participants from Labrador to British Columbia, working in mediation, prisoner visitation and other community-based programs associated with MCC.

Despite ongoing concerns about how well government programs can fulfill the vision of healing, representatives nevertheless find that public sector acceptance of this vision allows for some positive changes.

But other questions remain: Do restorative justice models really address the needs of victims of crime? What are the gender dynamics, and injustices, even within the practice of restorative justice? Do Mennonites in Canada support a vision for transforming the criminal justice system?

Debate on these issues was focused by a report prepared by Dean Peachey of Kitchener, on MCC Canada's involvement in the restorative justice field. MCC has been instrumental in helping to start mediation and other restorative justice programs in the last 25 years.

In the context of this report, MCC Canada has affirmed its commitment to the vision. Most provincial MCCs also give significant support to restorative justice work in their communities.

More recent developments in restorative justice include the Victims' Voice program of MCC Canada, and the Circles of Support and Accountability programs which work with former sex offenders released from prison, in several provinces.

For more information, or to contact Mennonite Central Committee, see their website at: www.mcc.org