H-F Area League of Women Voters Hosts Program on Restorative Justice

Emir A, Hardy, current Executive Director of the F.U.T.U.R.E. Foundation, presented a program on Restorative Justice to the H-F Area LWV during their February meeting at the Homewood Library. Restorative Justice is a philosophy that is focused on healing harm among individuals and communities. It is an ancient practice and sourced in aboriginal and indigenous cultures around the world. 

Restorative Justice is an aspect of restorative practice that responds to crime by juveniles by bringing persons harmed, persons who caused harm, and the wider community together through dialogue. By connecting people impacted by harm, restorative practices aim to transform relationships, heal harm, increase safety and build capacity in communities. Contrasting mainstream-formal systems of justice, restorative practice recognizes the therapeutic value of having all impacted parties respond to a crime. When people can share their stories of impact, meaningful change can begin. A key element of Restorative Justice is that it is practiced in ways that are meaningful and specific to the community. Mr. Hardy spoke about the healing power of Restorative Justice, explaining that through the process, when offenders hear their victims describe the effect the offense had on them, they often feel empathy and express remorse. Restorative Justice conferences, stated Mr. Hardy, result in high levels of satisfaction among offenders, victims, and community members. In addition, Restorative Justice can be cost effective compared to the punitive process.

For those interested in learning more about Restorative Justice or becoming a Restorative Justice facilitator, there will be two workshops hosted at Prairie State College: one will take place this weekend—Feb. 17—and there will also be a conferencing training weekend March 23-25. For more information, contact Mr. Hardy at Future Foundations Youth Services, Inc. at 708-758-5100.