The Restorative Justice Speaker Series presents a talk by Carl Stauffer, "Philosophy or a Movement."
The field of Restorative Justice (RJ) remains a contested terrain. The notion of RJ has its origins in practice and has only recently started solidifying its theoretical underpinnings. Metaphorically speaking, RJ as an academic and professional discipline is now ‘coming of age’ and as such, it is facing at least three critical transitions: defining its identity, monitoring its best practice, and sustaining its adaptability. As a needed corrective to a justice system that tends to singularly focus on the past and the present, RJ provides a frame for a future view of justice – a trans-generational justice. RJ is not only an effective social service; it is also a growing social movement. RJ offers a container for trauma and memory work, a vehicle for nonviolent social and structural change, a practice for building social capital (community organizing & development) and the guiding values for a reparative approach to transitional justice at a national and international level. RJ gives hope for a satisfying form of justice.
