Restorative Justice and Faith Communities: Themes and Challenges

Abstract

There was a story told in an article published many years ago in the Dalhousie Review by eminent Australian criminologist, John Braithwaite (1996). It tells the story of a fictitious lad named Sam, who is a composite of a number of young men Dr. Braithwaite had observed in the criminal justice system. We read that young Sam had robbed an elderly woman her purse, and has been offered a restorative justice 'conference' as an alternate to facing juvenile court. Sam agrees to attend but remains belligerent as the conference proceeds.

Keywords: restorative justice,