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Restorative Justice

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Critical Issues in Restorative Justice
Howard Zehr and Barb Toews, eds.
(Paperback)
2004, 436 pages
ISBN: 1-881798-51-8
$38.50

In a mere quarter-century, restorative justice has grown from a few scattered experimental projects into a worldwide social movement and field of study. Moving beyond its origins within criminal justice, restorative justice is now being applied in schools, in homes, and in the workplace. The 31 chapters in this book identify the main threats to the integrity and effectiveness of this emerging international movement.

The contributing authors are prominent long-term advocates and practitioners of restorative justice from North America, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, and South Africa. Their critical self-examination of restorative justice highlights the dangers of: (1) cooptation or diversion from its core mission, and the unintended consequences that may acompany reforms; (2) being relegated primarily to "minor" crimes or conflicts, and thereby having minimal impact on the overall system of justice; and (3) inherent flaws such as its possible cultural or gender biases, or alleged failure to address underlying social problems that breed interpersonal conflicts.

Howard Zehr is one of the founders of the restorative justice movement, having directed the first victim offender reconciliation program in the U.S. He is Professor of Restorative Justice and co-director of the graduate Conflict Transformation Program at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) in Virginia. Barb Toews is a restorative justice practitioner, trainer and mediator, who currently facilitates restorative justice programs in prisons through the Pennsylvania Prison Society.

"All who are interested, from the novice to the true believer, who seek understanding and a road map to unraveling the mysteries, nuances, and perspective of restorative justice must read and own this book. Get it now." Dan Okada, Critical Criminology.

"This book manages to capture the essence of the many contested areas within RJ (restorative justice).... not only an excellent resource for students of the topic--it is also a little goldmine for researchers looking for new ideas. Anna M. Eriksson, British Journal of Criminology

"This is a book to be savored. Each chapter provides a thoughtful and thought-provoking glimpse into critical challenges facing restorative justice. This is the kind of book that deserves to be read slowly -- on chapter a week, perhaps -- so that one has time to reflect and learn." Daniel Van Ness, Director, Prison Fellowship International Centre for Justice and Reconciliation.

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