What do we mean by community-based & restorative justice? Community and restorative justice is rooted in community values and works to restore all parties, rather than just punishing an offender. Community justice focuses on being transparent in its operation, easily accessible to all, and working to mend relationships throughout the community, to heal the community … [Read more...] about Community-Based Restorative Justice Systems
justice system
Please, I Can’t Breathe
by Johnny Wilk Originally from Palmerton, Johnny has been a Lehigh Valley resident for most of his life. … [Read more...] about Please, I Can’t Breathe
Community & Restorative Justice – Summer 2020
What do we mean by community-based & restorative justice? Community and restorative justice is a way in which we look at problem solving. According to the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP), restorative practice is defined by “the study of how to build social capital and achieve social discipline through participatory learning and decision making” … [Read more...] about Community & Restorative Justice – Summer 2020
Bobby (aka RFK)
Bobby Kennedy was killed on June 5 1968, only two months after MLK was murdered in Memphis. To many of those at the time, these two killings were far worse and more personal than the assassination of RFK's older brother. Fast forward to 2020, and many people apparently still believe that Bobby was shot by Sirhan Sirhan, although there is ample evidence to prove this is … [Read more...] about Bobby (aka RFK)
Closing the Justice Gap with Incubators: An Interview with Fred Rooney
Interviewed by RJ Vogt On any given day, you might find Fred Rooney in the Dominican Republic, Pakistan or his hometown of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Just last week, the 66-year-old called the “father of legal incubators” by the American Bar Association hopped aboard a flight to Bulgaria. The man’s wild travel schedule reflects the national and international … [Read more...] about Closing the Justice Gap with Incubators: An Interview with Fred Rooney
Death Penalty in Slow Motion
Most of the inmates at the facility that I am interested in are there for non-violent (specifically drug-related offenses). The process of re-entry for those in jail for shorter periods of time is much different from those who are imprisoned for longer time periods. I'm curious about the different challenges that people face depending on how long they have been imprisoned. I'd … [Read more...] about Death Penalty in Slow Motion
My Personal Prison Project
I am on a quest to make a change in this world. Inequality, injustice, and inhumanity exist around us, and we need to open our eyes to it. Last year, I joined a club at my university called the Prison Project. Each week I travel to the Northampton County Prison and tutor inmates on a variety of subjects, helping them to prepare for their GED. I love knowledge; I feel that it … [Read more...] about My Personal Prison Project
William Rivers Pitt, via pkc: ‘The Lost, Lingering Legacy of RFK’
I remember when Bobby Kennedy was assassinated, and it was another dark moment in 1968, following the assassination of MLK a couple of months earlier. Much of the hope he inspired has been laid to waste. Some of you who are closer to my age no doubt remember this too. Unfortunately, the article identifies Sirhan Sirhan as the killer, despite a wealth of forensic evidence … [Read more...] about William Rivers Pitt, via pkc: ‘The Lost, Lingering Legacy of RFK’
Circle Sentencing
by Julia Ward After watching the documentary film by Shanti Thakur entitled "Circles", my eyes were open to a whole new social justice system which was very different from our own. The way that people are punished for the crimes that they commit in other countries around the world such as Canada, is nothing like the system that we have in the United States. While our system is … [Read more...] about Circle Sentencing
Ray Krone: Journey of Hope
by Julia Ward While we do have an excellent justice system in the United States, it is far from perfect. Before attending a lecture given by Ray Krone at Lafayette College, I trusted the justice system for all of the decisions that it has made. But the fact that there are over 100 people today who have been on death row who were wrongly accused and now considered innocent is … [Read more...] about Ray Krone: Journey of Hope