International dialogue on Global problems
By Ned Kelly
In the first of four articles examining the positive effect Community
Restorative Justice can have when dealing with anti-social behaviour,
Ned Kelly reports from a conference where experts from New Zealand
and South Africa explained how the system brings real justice to
communities.
Two international experts, South African Professor Wilfred Scarf and
New Zealand prison chaplain Jim Consedine, have been taking part in
the growing debate about the evolution of Community Restorative
Justice (CRJ). In a conference last Friday,7 May, organised for CRJ
activists from the Upper Springfield, Derry, Poleglass and New Lodge
areas, Scarf emphasised that CRJ was a natural response when state
justice just wasn't doing the job. In an international context, he
explained it was found naturally throughout the world, especially
where ``the state acted as an oppressive force''.
In Belfast, where the two components of `state justice' - the RUC and
the courts - have so failed nationalists and have been deliberately
used to destabalise nationalist communities and in an attempt to
destroy republicanism Scarf added that where ``the success of CRJ
schemes undermined the state they would be attacked''. The legitimacy
of the CRJ schemes is seen in the attempts by the RUC to mimic them -
but without it being a ground up community initiative. The Dublin
government also announced two weeks ago that £250,000 was to be made
available for CRJ schemes in the 26 counties.
d the smear stories are already appearing in the press. Upper
Springfield CRJ proponent Tommy Holland is currently pursuing a case
against the Sunday Times. The paper wrongly identified the West
Belfast man and according to Holland put his life in danger.
Also the RUC is opposed to the CRJ initiative, seeing it as a threat
to its postion in the state as the sole provider of law and order.
Speaking of the potential for CRJ to deliver justice in a way it is
impossible for any imperial/western model to deliver, Scarf added
that it is more ``accessible in terms of cost, location, procedure,
value, time of sitting, language and length of proceedings''. That CRJ
also seeks to unravel the details and as such is more focused on
truth than punishment means that ``multiple cases that are related and
relevant to the problem can be heard simultaneously''. At its heart is
responsibility, relationships, recognition and respect, he said.
In a parallel debate, Jim Consedine, with 20 years experience as a
prison chaplain, stressed that the offender punishment model that he
calls a ``western obsession'' is clearly failing. Across the world,
reoffending is spiralling out of control, prison populations are
growing. Nowhere are the needs of victims or the community being
addressed in any other way than by retribution. Consedine supports
the ever increasing CRJ schemes being introduced throughout the world
that focus on repairing damage, on respect for all those involved and
the need for communication. Consedine added that the criminal courts
and the prison system that are central to the retributive system are
``not working to bring about positive changes in behaviour''.
In a postscript, CRJ activists pointed out that CRJ is no utopian
solution to problems in the community. They said that where the RUC
and the criminal justice system are clearly failing, more people ned
to become involved in finding solutions to the real problems of
anti-social behaviour eating away at nationalist communities.
On Friday 21 May, people in the Greater Turf Lodge and New Barnsley
areas, Moyard, Dermott Hill, Westrock, Whiterock and Mount Alverno
interested in undertaking CRJ training should get to the Whiterock
Community Centre for 7pm for a presentation and enrolment.
Alternatively they should leave their names at the Frank Cahill
Resource Centre or telephone Tommy Holland on (01232) 238928.
Next week, Ned Kelly talks to a group of people who have been through
the Upper Springfield CRJ project as offenders and discovers what it
has meant to them.
![[An Phoblacht]](http://republican-news.org/graphics/title_gifs/aprn.gif)