Restorative Justice
What is Restorative Justice?
Restorative Justice is a response to crime that "emphasizes repairing the harm caused by crime. When victims, offenders and community members meet voluntarily to decide how to do that, transformation can result." - Restorative Justice Online
New Path Center envisions
Communities where the citizens become responsible for positive transformation.
Communities where constructive communication thrives.
Communities that are abundant in resources.
Communities that produce leaders with impeccable character.
Communities where all leaders address conflict and brokenness in reasonable, respectful, restorative, and redemptive ways.
Restorative Justice Guiding Questions
Who has been hurt?
What are their needs?
Whose obligations are these?
Who has a stake in this situation?
What is the appropriate process to involve stakeholders in an effort to put things as right as possible?
Adapted from The Little Book of Restorative Justice by Howard Zehr
Kingsburg Community Justice Conference
Kingsburg Community Justice Conference (KCJC) implements a very old notion. We gather as a community to solve problems, and to support and connect with one another. We acknowledge that we all need help at times, and in helping others we help ourselves at the same time. KCJC is a community-based program of the Kingsburg Police Department and New Path Center, which addresses the needs of victims and offenders that may not be met by the Criminal Justice system.
In a KCJC, several people come together: victims, offenders, family members, city and civic leaders, professionals, and other concerned citizens of the community.
Our goal is to dialogue about difficult issues in an atmosphere of respect and concern for everyone:
How the victim(s) and community were affected?
How to repair the harm?
How to create a better future for all?
For more information on participating in a KCJC, or to find out about beginning a community restorative justice program in your community, please contact the NPC office at (559) 897-9225.
"Only when we allow such questions to frame our quest for justice will victims attain the place they deserve.”
–Howard Zehr
