NCJ Number
169521
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 59 Issue: 7 Dated: (December 1997) Pages: 100-102,141
Date Published
1997
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections has adopted the "community justice" terminology to reflect the holistic principles of restorative justice; this article describes the features of Ohio's corrections strategy.
Abstract
"Community justice" views crime as a violation against individuals, their families, and the communities in which they live. It promotes an inclusive system that brings all those involved or impacted by a crime into the decision-making process. It is more concerned with repairing the harm done to the victim and the community through negotiation, mediation, empowerment, and reparation, rather than through vengeance, deterrence, and punishment. Important attributes of this approach are victim services, community service, community partnerships, and education and work opportunities. A Community Justice Cabinet has been appointed to plan and guide the "community justice" strategy. The Cabinet oversees the work of five Community Justice Councils that address community justice initiatives in the prisons, local county programs, and parole and probation. These councils ensure a comprehensive and coordinated effort to implement community justice principles in program design and implementation.