When is Justice Just?

Fact # 1: Last year nearly 9,000 students were arrested in Chicago Public Schools .

Fact # 2: While Chicago Public Schools do not keep records detailing the race or ethnicity of those arrested, many complain that these arrests disproportionately effect blacks and Hispanics.

Fact # 3: The Chicago School Board just decided to address this problem by initiating a system-wide overhaul of the structures of discipline in public schools.

Last week the Chicago School Board announced that it was in the process of drafting new discipline guidelines to address the number of arrests in public schools. One idea, still under revision, is the introduction of a philosophy known as restorative justice.

Restorative justice is model of justice that operates on the view that any form of disciplinary action in public schools must first meet the needs of the victim rather than simply punishing a wrongdoer. An example: If John's misbehavior harms Jane, it is the responsibility of the administration to include Jane in conversation about the design and implementation of appropriate discipline and not simply suspend John. Proponents of restorative justice methods aim to address the victim's hurts and needs and not simply levy a prescribed punishment. What matters is that the victim has a chance to voice their hurts and needs and play a roll in structuring a way to restore the relationship with the offender.

In the example of Chicago Public Schools, this approach would involve the creation and implementation of peer juries. The school administration would ask the peer jury to hear the victim's story, pay close attention to the feelings and concerns within that story, and work with the victim to create an appropriate consequence. Proponents of restorative justice believe it is insufficient to simply punish a wrongdoer without involving the victim and that this tact also addresses the potential for revenge. This same group of people also put forward that discipline for more serious offense--like gang violence and weapons or drug possession--must involve the peer jury, the offender's parents and other community members.

Many teachers, administrators, community groups, and students are optimistic that the restorative justice approach will address the turbulence within Chicago Public Schools. Within this group some are voicing concern that more funding be made available for hiring professional counselors to treat the psychological needs of Chicago's youth. Everyone agrees that change is needed and that substantive discussion today is vital in ensure a healthy future for our world.

Catholic Connection:

Pope John Paul II offers us these thoughts about our need to treat every person, offender and victim, with dignity and respect. While not specifically using the phrase "restorative justice," Pope John Paul II did capture the core of restorative justice.

"We are still a long way from the time when our conscience can be certain of having done everything possible to prevent crime and to control it effectively so that it no longer does harm and, at the same time, to offer to those who commit crimes a way of redeeming themselves and making a positive return to society. If all those in some way involved in the problem tried to . . . develop this line of thought, perhaps humanity as a whole could take a great step forward in creating a more serene and peaceful society."

Reflection Questions

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