Nov 18: Second Annual Justice Restoration Week
Prison Fellowship, CURB, and the Coalition for the Protection of Children will kick off the Second Annual Restorative Justice Week on November 18, with a series of workshops planned to work towards “Making Things Right” with Bermuda’s justice system.
A spokesperson said, “Restorative Justice Week is a collaborative effort between the Coalition for the Protection of Children [CPC], Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda [CURB], and Prison Fellowship to raise awareness in Bermuda of the restorative justice movement in order to educate and inspire our community to consider alternative, less punitive ways in which we can approach crime and other social issues.
“This includes education around what restorative justice means, highlighting instances of restorative justice work already in practice as well as a variety of activities and training for the community to engage in to better understand the movement.
“The Restorative Justice Initiative aims to promote collaboration and highlight advancements in the area of Restorative Justice. Restorative Justice is a criminal justice approach that attempts to involve all stakeholders of an offense or injustice in identifying and addressing the needs of victims, offenders and the community in order to repair and prevent further harm, provide healing, and seek accountability.
“It is an alternative to the prevailing retributive system that relies on punishment. With crime, restorative justice is about the idea that because crime hurts, justice should heal.
The following activities will be available during Justice Restoration Week:
1. Lunch n’ Learn Introduction
- A Lunch n’ Learn Introductory Seminar on the Principles of Restorative Practices by CURB, Prison Fellowship, and the Coalition for the Protection of Children, presented by Lorna McGowan [CURB] and Shayna Duncan [CPC].
- Date: Monday, November 18
- Time: 12.00pm – 1.00pm
- Location: Bermuda National Library
- Cost: Free [donations towards venue requested]
- To register, please contact nicola.cpc@logic.bm.
2. Panel Discussion: Addressing Social Harm Using Restorative Practices
- Restorative approaches are critical for moving towards repairing the harm and pain in our community, and for building strength in the community. Because social injustices cause harm, justice needs to heal. This panel discussion will explore various perspectives on the importance of restorative justice and restorative practice in addressing social harms in Bermuda’s community
- Panelists: Hashim Estwick, Cordell Riley, Shayna Duncan, Melody Micere Van Putten
- Facilitator: Nicola Feldman
- Date: Monday, November 18
- Time: 5.30pm – 7.00pm
- Location: Cathedral Hall
- Cost: Free [donations towards venue requested]
- To register, please contact nicola.cpc@logic.bm.
3. Lunch n’ Learn Introduction 2
- Lunch n’ Learn Introductory Seminar on the Principles of Restorative Justice by CURB, Prison Fellowship and the Coalition for the Protection of Children, presented by Hashim Estwick [CURB] and Nicola Feldman [CPC].
- Date: Tuesday, November 19
- Time: 12.00pm – 1.00pm
- Location: Bermuda National Library
- Cost: Free [donations towards venue requested]
- To register, please contact nicola.cpc@logic.bm.
4. Restorative Justice: Looking at the Needs of Prisoners
- A video clip and circle dialogue facilitated by Prison Fellowship’s Sheridan Scotten and Peggy Waters. Restorative Justice works to repair the harm caused by crime. It involves everyone affected by a particular offense, holds offenders accountable and gives a voice to the victim, making a way for healing and restitution.
- The present system takes sole responsibility for punishing offenders while victims have little involvement in the process. Come and join the conversation on whether our justice system could move beyond ‘rehabilitation and deterrence’ to restoring peace in the community.
- Date: Tuesday, November 19
- Time: 5.30pm – 7.00pm
- Location: Chewstick
- Cost: Free [donations towards venue requested]
- To register, please contact nicola.cpc@logic.bm.
5. Special talk on Prison Fellowship’s Restorative Justice Sycamore Tree Program
- The Sycamore Tree Project® is an eight session encounter group, where, after a period of preparation, victims and offenders meet to discuss the consequences of crime. Many victims have reported receiving a good measure of healing. Offenders confront, often for the first time, the harm their actions have had on other people. Follow-up study has shown that offenders who go through the Sycamore Tree Project have significant changes in attitudes that make it less likely they will re-offend.
- Date: Wednesday, November 20
- Time: 5.30pm – 7.00pm
- Location: Chewstick
- Cost: Free [donations towards venue requested]
- To register, please contact nicola.cpc@logic.bm.
