Monday, June 9, 2008
Crime and society's solution
We had a visit on Friday night from a salesperson representing ADT. She had an offer 'she' thought we couldn't refuse ... a 'free' home security system with only a mere $199.00 installation fee and $30.00 monthly fee. Although there hasn't been reported break-ins in this area, she tried to convince us that it would be best to be prepared (our two dogs were highly insulted, I must say... they take their jobs as watch dogs very seriously). Tragically, home invasions have become a way for some people to fund their destructive life-styles. I remember when our youngest son, who chose a life of crime in his teens, broke into his grandfather's house just after his wife had passed away. He stole her check book, along with numerous small electronic devices, and then he proceeded to cash forged checks in various places in the city. I watched as my father-in-law grappled with his feelings of violation and betrayal. Later, we learned that our son had also been responsible for numerous break-ins in the city. I was in court when he was sentenced. He was whisked away to jail without having to face his grandfather or us, for that matter. I have often wondered, since, what would have happened if we could have participated in a "Circle of Justice." Would the outcome have been different? I realize that extreme crimes demand extreme measures. But ... where does society draw the line? Can alternative measures restore effectively? What do you think??
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Crime and society’s solution
I do believe in the “Circle of Justice.” After loosing a sister to being murdered by her boyfriend, I often think about how it would be for my family to have a chance to tell him how we feel. I think abut my family and the anger and sadness we all endured and some of us more forgiving than others. I often think about how forgiveness might be possible with the “circle”.
That's a tough one. Yes i do agree with the idea of a circle of justice. Crimes effect not just the one being held responsible for the wrong doing, but all the lives of the person's loved ones and the family members of the victims.
If you purposely go out of our way to commit a crime or break the law, I think it should be handled accordingly, with no exceptions. That's how laws are enforced and expected to be taken seriously.
But on the other hand, everybody has a say, and the consideration of everyone in every situation is not so likely, though in a perfect world should be.
This is so tragic, Denise. There doesn't seem to be much justice for the victims, does there? I can't imagine how difficult it would be to try and heal and move on after this.
I agree, Hollie. I think that all parties involved or effected by the crime should be given a chance to speak, if they want to.
although, the crimes you are talking about are far less serious than you actually think. what i actually mean is that in canada's criminal justice system, these crimes that you have mentioned are not considered violent crimes. although, i have seen these crimes turn deadly, the fact is that without a weapons or an assault the crimminal often gets a slap on the wrist. now, by being betrayed by your own family would be a more disgraceful matter as oppossed to being put in jail. in a circle your family would have that chance to tell how they feel, and at times this could be very emotional for the victoms but even better, more embarrassing for the crimminal. so i do believe that this could work, especially if the crimes aren't that of violent(refer to the crimminal code of Canada). not only could this be very effective, it would save tax payers money. do you know how much it cost to send one youth to the youth center for one year? well this may shock you but according to the results of Statistics Canada. it costs $82 567 a year for a youth, and for an adult sent away for a year it cost 92 398. if the government had programs that actually worked and benifited the people at risk then the money that could be saved is amazing. if you think for a minute about these small petty crimes(samll crimes meaning break in enter not exceeding $5000) and the people that are committing them, who are they? most of them are people that are addicted to some form of hard drug and they need money to fund thier habits. so what i am getting at is, that if we took these people and put them in these circles, found out what thier needs are, take the money that the government would spend on incarcerating them, and use it to battle the problems that they are going through. this would not stop the crimes alltogether, but it may prevent crimes committed by addicts and help them become productive members of society.
I also believe in 'circle of justice" but also feel that it should start at school with bullies. depending on what crime it is can be brought through a circle, if its minor, but for something extreme i think it should be processed in court in front of a judge and sentenced properly.
I also belive in it too. A few years back before we moved to our new house, we went away to visit family in Kahnawake, while we were gone someone desided to kick in all three of our doors. Luckly when my in laws who were house watching noticed and notified us. After finding out the fool who broke in didn't touch anything else, either they got scared off or what, we will never know, but the feeling of being violated stayed with me for a long time after. Everytime I heard a noise late at night, i wanted my boyfriend to get up and check it out. Took awhile for these feeling to subside.
I think it would be good for the victim and the offender to participate in the victim offender reconciliation program because both would be restored of what they both have lost from the whole incident. The outcome would be different because both would be able to forgive and still have the offender to accept responsibilty and be punished for the crime.The whole point is to restore both the victim and the offender from world of fear and pain and to present them an option of the circle of justice. I think that would help the offender to show remorse and accept responsibility for his/her wrongdoing and to adjust to accepting his/her punishment. As for the victim, to hear from the offender to why he committed the crime.
Mark, I agree with you, wholeheartedly. The gap between the perpetrator and the victim is huge. It seems to me that the 'punishment' for minor offenses, rarely fits the crime. Even community service and fines seem removed from the actual offense. Surely, there's a better way??
Virginia, you've made an excellent point -- indeed, the bullies on the playground (and in cyberspace) need to be helped, now, because later is too late, for most.
I do believe in the "Circle of Justice". We were a told there were two sides to every story and each side has some kind of meaning behind it. I believe that something good would come out of each situation and everyone can learn why things happen. At least all voices could be heard and each person will feel what they want to feel!
I do believe in the "Circle of Justice". It would help many communities if people can together and punish the offenders rather than throwing them in jail. Humiliating an offender is a big ordeal and would make them feel so bad that they wouldn't want to commit a crime again. I know if that would happen to me, I wouldn't want to show my face again. So yes, i do agree in circle of justice
We've often said that the criminal justice system is the non-native way and foreign to our people. Evidence exists that indicates more native people populate the prison system than any other race of people. That alone sends a strong statement. Are Native people treated more severly, more readily punished and easy to convict?
Coupled with that delimna, is that offender is imprisoned into an environment that is a cesspool of more crime, drugs and unworthiness! How is a person to rehabilitate? How is a person supposed to reintegrate into society? How is a person to pick up after they are released, to get on with their lives? I think it would be very difficult.
So, alternative measures are badly needed, not only for the victim but for offenders as well.
I believe that for some people and certains acts of crime can be handled through alternative justices, such as sentencing circles. There are programs that exist, such as the Aboriginal Justice Strategy that emphasizes restorative justice. Many communities, including Listuguj, are working towards establishing this model. In this way, both victims and offenders can be heard and appropriate sentencing can be done. Perhaps this is the true vehicle to reducing crime in our communities and reducing the over-representation of our native people in the prison population.
I, for one, am in favor of extreme punishment for extreme crimes. Murderers, rapists and pedophiles need to be punished to the full extent of the law.
In the case of minor crimes, I feel that a circle of justice would benefit all parties involved. The defender has an opportunity to explain his/her side of the story and the victim(s) also get to share their ordeals.
Providing a forum that allows the community to aid the victim and the offender in reaching mutually acceptable outcomes is an avenue that should be further explored.
I think that the “Circle of Justice” certainly is a positive alternative. I believe that it is important for the one who has committed the crime to know what effect their actions have on their victims and for the victim to know why the crime was committed.
Unfortunately for those who have or feel no remorse, justice must take a different road. But, how can the system predict the benefits of the “Circle of Justice”.
What if, this method of justice was made the “first attempt” at restoring justice, giving all victims of crime and all criminal the opportunity to make amends and begin to heal? If the results are positive, then everyone wins. If positive results cannot be achieved, then justice can be sought through the regular system.
This is somewhat difficult to answer. Working as a police officer and dealing with the justice system on a regular basis, sometimes the restorative justice would be a way to serve justice. There are pro’s and con’s to both restorative justice and the justice system itself. The justice system does nothing for the victim. Imposing a sentence on a suspect can do some justice for the victims but not always. Putting someone away for murder is sometimes better then having go through a restorative justice program. On the upside, could the victims of crime do any justice by facing their victimizers? From working in the justice system the victimizers do not always show nor have remorse for what they do. They would not benefit from a justice circle. The justice system is sometimes to lenient on their suspects. I believe that the community and victims of crime would benefit from a restorative justice approach.
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