The various opportunities listed below – some quite creative and innovative – enable parishioners, concerned citizens and people of good will to get involved in restoring justice in their communities.
Learn about the principles of restorative justiceRestorative justice emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior. It is best accomplished through cooperative processes that include all stakeholders – victims, offenders, family members and community. To learn more about the principles of restorative justice, visit Centre for Justice & Reconciliation at Prison Fellowship International.
Support victims of crime and their families by attending or helping to organize the annual Victims Mass
Dioceses around California hold an annual Mass of remembrance and healing for victims of violent crime, family members and friends. Families who have lost a relative to violence are encouraged to bring a picture of their loved one. More information is available through the Office of Restorative Justice or the Office of Detention Ministry in your diocese. Also, the California Catholic Conference has created a helpful timeline on preparing a Mass for Victims of Crime.
Directory
of California Restorative Justice
or Detention Ministry offices
>>
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Participate in the 5K Run/Walk for Victims’ Rights
The Office of Restorative Justice – Victims’ Ministry in Archdiocese of Los Angeles is one of the participating organizations in the City of Los Angeles 5K Run/Walk for Victims’ Rights. The event commemorates National Crime Victims' Rights Week recognizing the devastating impact of violence on individuals, communities and our nation as a whole. The event also serves as a fundraiser for twenty-two organizations providing services to victims of crime, including the archdiocesan Office of Restorative Justice. In addition to the walk, the day includes live musical performances and face painting and balloon making for younger family members.
Find out about this year’s activities >>
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Children are devastated when their mother or father is incarcerated. Young people do better when they can maintain ongoing contact with their parent by mail, phone or ideally through in-person visits. Yet most children are not able to visit their parents in prison because of the distance and the expense.
For more than five years the Get on the Bus organization has brought children and their guardians from all over the state of California to visit their mothers in prison on the Friday before Mother’s Day. In 2006 the program will be expanded to include a visit to some prisons housing fathers on the Friday before Father’s Day.
Get on the Bus is funded by women religious, parishes, schools, and other generous supporters and is operated through Women & Criminal Justice, a non-profit organization. Volunteers are needed to accompany local families on the bus. Donations help provide buses, lunches, and gifts for the children. For more information, call (213) 637-7456 or visit the web site for a contact in your area.
View Get on the Bus 2005 stories and photos >>
Learn about this year’s activities >>
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The California Catholic Conference introduced Puppies in Prison to California Institution for Women, a state prison in Corona. Founded by Sister Pauline Quinn, this innovative win-win program brings dogs to the prison to be trained as aids to the disabled by the women prisoners. In the words of Sister Pauline, “it helps forgotten and unwanted people find meaning in their lives, saving unwanted dogs and helping the prison system learn the importance of allowing inmates to give something back to society.”
The women inmates experience unconditional love for the first time in their lives and it transforms them. They develop skills so that when they get out of prison they can work as dog groomers and trainers. This program is so successful that actress Ellen Burstyn produced and starred in the made-for-TV movie, “Within These Walls.”
Learn more about Puppies in Prison and Pathways to Hope >>
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Criminals and Gangs Anonymous is a 12 step program for juveniles and adults. It was founded by a gang member who believes that gang members are actually triple addicted: to the gang, to criminal thinking and to one or more substances. The organization is composed primarily of ex-gang members recovering from a destructive lifestyle.
This program is facilitated in the community by former gang members. In prisons it is facilitated through the Catholic chaplain. It has proven to be so successful that the California Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation has indicated that it plans to implement the program throughout the system.
Learn more about Criminals and Gangs Anonymous >>
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Since 1999, Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop Gabino Zavala, co-chair of the California Catholic Conference, has taken the lead on organizing interfaith delegations to our state adult prisons and youth authority facilities. The purpose of these delegations is to raise the awareness of the existence of these facilities for the leadership of the religious faith groups and the community. Delegates learn first-hand from inmates about the personal, religious and social needs of prisoners so that our programs in the community might be more effective and responsive. Delegations generate greater awareness and interest in volunteer service opportunities. The California Catholic Conference has developed the following documents that you may find useful in setting up your own delegation:
How to Organize a Prison Delegation Visit
Clearance Form for Delegation Visit
California General Prison Visiting Rules
Bishops’ Prison Ministry Steering Committee Report
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Participate in Catholic Lobbying Days
Catholic Lobby Day, an annual event coordinated by the California Catholic Conference, is a gathering of people of faith raising their voices in sincere dialogue and with anxious interest in seeking the common good. The Conference hosts Catholics from all over California who are interested in exercising their “faithful citizenship” in their state’s Capitol. We welcome all who are interested in meeting with elected officials to speak on behalf of those who are poor, vulnerable or voiceless. The one-day event includes information sessions on legislative issues, lobbying tips and techniques, a rally at the Capitol, and visits with legislators. Mass is also celebrated. To sign up for Catholic Lobby Day, call (916) 443-4851.
Learn more or register online >>
See a retrospective on Lobby Day 2005 >>
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Americans committed to restorative justice have built good relationships with state legislators and corrections leaders. We continue to work and partner with them on efforts to bring about a restorative justice approach to crime and punishment.
Legislatively, our state Catholic Conferences and national office at the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) work with our state Legislature and federal Congressional and House Representatives to help craft and support bills that would be rehabilitative for prisoners, their families and society.
Learn about current California legislation activities >>
Learn about USCCB’s national Social Ministry Gathering >>
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Hear the voices of community members involved in the criminal justice system talk about the concepts of restorative justice. We hope this will spark a dialogue about the criminal justice system, especially from the eyes of faith. What Else?
Do you know of other innovative faith-based programs based on restorative justice principles? Tell us about it.
Add your information to the RestoreJustice.com website >>
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