13 May 1999 Edition

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International dialogue on Global problems

By Ned Kelly


In the first of four articles examining the positive effect Community Restorative Justice can have when dealing with anti-social behaviour, Ned Kelly reports from a conference where experts from New Zealand and South Africa explained how the system brings real justice to communities.

Two international experts, South African Professor Wilfred Scarf and New Zealand prison chaplain Jim Consedine, have been taking part in the growing debate about the evolution of Community Restorative Justice (CRJ). In a conference last Friday,7 May, organised for CRJ activists from the Upper Springfield, Derry, Poleglass and New Lodge areas, Scarf emphasised that CRJ was a natural response when state justice just wasn't doing the job. In an international context, he explained it was found naturally throughout the world, especially where ``the state acted as an oppressive force''.

In Belfast, where the two components of `state justice' - the RUC and the courts - have so failed nationalists and have been deliberately used to destabalise nationalist communities and in an attempt to destroy republicanism Scarf added that where ``the success of CRJ schemes undermined the state they would be attacked''. The legitimacy of the CRJ schemes is seen in the attempts by the RUC to mimic them - but without it being a ground up community initiative. The Dublin government also announced two weeks ago that £250,000 was to be made available for CRJ schemes in the 26 counties.

And the smear stories are already appearing in the press. Upper Springfield CRJ proponent Tommy Holland is currently pursuing a case against the Sunday Times. The paper wrongly identified the West Belfast man and according to Holland put his life in danger.

Also the RUC is opposed to the CRJ initiative, seeing it as a threat to its postion in the state as the sole provider of law and order.

Speaking of the potential for CRJ to deliver justice in a way it is impossible for any imperial/western model to deliver, Scarf added that it is more ``accessible in terms of cost, location, procedure, value, time of sitting, language and length of proceedings''. That CRJ also seeks to unravel the details and as such is more focused on truth than punishment means that ``multiple cases that are related and relevant to the problem can be heard simultaneously''. At its heart is responsibility, relationships, recognition and respect, he said.

In a parallel debate, Jim Consedine, with 20 years experience as a prison chaplain, stressed that the offender punishment model that he calls a ``western obsession'' is clearly failing. Across the world, reoffending is spiralling out of control, prison populations are growing. Nowhere are the needs of victims or the community being addressed in any other way than by retribution. Consedine supports the ever increasing CRJ schemes being introduced throughout the world that focus on repairing damage, on respect for all those involved and the need for communication. Consedine added that the criminal courts and the prison system that are central to the retributive system are ``not working to bring about positive changes in behaviour''.

In a postscript, CRJ activists pointed out that CRJ is no utopian solution to problems in the community. They said that where the RUC and the criminal justice system are clearly failing, more people ned to become involved in finding solutions to the real problems of anti-social behaviour eating away at nationalist communities.

On Friday 21 May, people in the Greater Turf Lodge and New Barnsley areas, Moyard, Dermott Hill, Westrock, Whiterock and Mount Alverno interested in undertaking CRJ training should get to the Whiterock Community Centre for 7pm for a presentation and enrolment. Alternatively they should leave their names at the Frank Cahill Resource Centre or telephone Tommy Holland on (01232) 238928.

Next week, Ned Kelly talks to a group of people who have been through the Upper Springfield CRJ project as offenders and discovers what it has meant to them.

An Phoblacht
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Ireland