October 9, 2021 Editor

Justice and Peace:

A Radical Reconsideration of Public Safety

Streamed live, October 7, 2021

image above: smp.org

WN: The Catholic Criminal Justice Reform Network does excellent events. One presentation you will hear is not just about reform: it is about “radical reconsideration” of Public Safety, including a call for abolition of the police–in favour of a far more powerful communal presence to reduce crime in communities.

The event below was a roundtable discussion with Herschella Conyers (University of Chicago Law School), Michael Jaycox (Seattle University), Michael Scott (Arizona State University), Tobias Winright (Saint Louis University). Chief Justice Gonzáles in introducing the evening presents powerfully about the racism in the American justice system (and of course, well, everywhere.)

Presented by Seattle University and The Catholic Criminal Justice Reform Network.

Nearly fifty years ago, Pope St. Paul VI said, “If you want Peace, work for Justice.” Echoing his words, “No Justice, No Peace” has become the chant of protesters from Seattle to Atlanta seeking freedom not only from excessive use of force by police but also from unjust inequities across social and political structures.

This roundtable presentation invited policing scholars in the fields of law, criminology, and theological ethics to explore how we might build peace on a foundation of justice.

The interdisciplinary panel addressed the future of public safety through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching. This panel serves as the keynote event for a three-day colloquium addressing Catholic perspectives on criminal justice reform.

The workshops and public lectures include leading scholars examining how Catholic tradition and social thought might inform the challenges confronting today’s American criminal justice system.

Here is the video:

Then please view the following powerful video that underscores the intense shaming endured by vast numbers of prisoners, and others. Set in a prison, it gives immense hope!

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Editor

Wayne Northey was Director of Man-to-Man/Woman-to-Woman – Restorative Christian Ministries (M2/W2) in British Columbia, Canada from 1998 to 2014, when he retired. He has been active in the criminal justice arena and a keen promoter of Restorative Justice since 1974. He has published widely on peacemaking and justice themes. You will find more about that on this website: a work in progress.

Always appreciate constructive feedback! Thanks.