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Restorative Justice

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Restorative Justice Workshop Report

On 17 December 2005, PF Swaziland hosted an introductory workshop on restorative justice at Mountain Inn, Mbabane, Swaziland. This report offers an overview of the event and summary of the information shared.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

The Gospels are an amazing story of reconciliation. It is the heart of the Christian message. Yet reconciliation is not the first thing that comes into the minds of innocent victims who suffer a loss or an injustice. People who lose a loved one to a violent crime will often feel bitter, angry and resentful. Seldom would anyone be inclined to think first of forgiveness and being reconciled to the offender in such circumstances. As difficult as the process of reconciliation is, a growing number of PF ministries are responding to the challenge of helping victims and offenders grow beyond the pain and anger and alienation of their experiences. The results are often miraculous.

PF Zambia Representatives Receive Restorative Justice Training

In May, Samuel Kawilila and Richard Mbindawina of PF Zambia travelled to the USA to study restorative justice at the Eastern Mennonite University Summer Peacebuilding Institute in Harrisonburg, VA

Reconciling Victims and Offenders in Swaziland

As offenders come to understand the harm they have caused, they feel the need to express their remorse and take responsibility for their behaviour. In response to this need, the PF Swaziland reconciliation team assists prisoners in this journey toward healing. When prisoners ask PFS volunteers to relay their apology to the victim, the reconciliation team steps in to visit with the prisoner and the victim. During meetings with the victims, often attended by the prison chaplain, the team members explain the desire of the offender to apologize and meet with the victim. After several meetings with each party, a meeting inside the prison is facilitated by the members of the reconciliation team. Often these meetings end in an offer of forgiveness from those affected by the offending behaviour.

Advocating for Restorative Justice in Nigeria

Participants in a recent one-day seminar organized by PF Nigeria discussed the chronic prison overcrowding in that country and explored solutions through alternatives to incarceration based on restorative justice.

Restorative Justice Training for Corrections Personnel

Recently, PF Lesotho sponsored a two-week training event on restorative justice for members of the Lesotho Correctional Service (LCS). Thirty-five participants including prison chaplains and correctional rehabilitation officers participated in the event held at the Lesotho Training Centre.