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Today I gained a new follower. To honor that, I'd like to take a moment to discuss something we often don't. How to deal with members of our community who harm each other. What we know today as "crime". Let's talk #RestorativeJustice. (I'm a cat, not a lawyer.)
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In Western Societies, we have the following system:
1. Crime is committed
2. Police investigate crime
3. Police detain suspect
4. State indicts suspect
5. Court tries suspect
6. Court or Jury determines guilt
7. Judge sentences suspect
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1. Crime is committed
2. Police investigate crime
3. Police detain suspect
4. State indicts suspect
5. Court tries suspect
6. Court or Jury determines guilt
7. Judge sentences suspect
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In some jurisdictions, parts of this system includes elected officials. Judges and DAs are often elected. They represent the People or State based upon the policies of their platform.
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Over the past several decades, sentencing laws and policies have steered towards increased punishment in an attempt to deter crime. What it has created is the incarceration of millions of People.
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Prisoners are often submitted to inhumane conditions. They are subjected to physical, sexual and mental abuse by fellow prisoners and guards.
For some, this is the punishment. They want to see people suffer.
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For some, this is the punishment. They want to see people suffer.
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There is a better way. There is a concept that can provide healing for victims and offenders. One that can reduce recidivism by helping provide resources to everyone to learn and grow. And from a monetary lens, one that can reduce the cost of incarceration and policing.
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#RestorativeJustice provides the following major concepts for us to consider:
1. Inclusion for all parties to discuss how to make amends.
2. A system in which people can heal mentally and physically.
3. Reintegration with society.
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1. Inclusion for all parties to discuss how to make amends.
2. A system in which people can heal mentally and physically.
3. Reintegration with society.
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I'm just a cat, I don't have the answers on how to achieve these goals. A path to #AbolishPrison requires us to make a generational strategy which includes societal reform and justice reform. People of LA know this and why they voted against @JackieLaceyDA for @GeorgeGascon.
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Remember that it requires love to overcome evil. Vengeance and Revenge are evil. They do not lead to a better and just society. It is ok to be angry. It is ok to feel sorrow and want revenge. It is not ok to harm others out of that anger and hate.
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In closing this thread, I want to provide the video that I often use as my mantra.
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(video id: Mr Rogers closing statement of "I'm proud of you")
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(video id: Mr Rogers closing statement of "I'm proud of you")
