Restorative Justice is really another thing that makes studying prison rehabilitation unique in South Africa. Other countries (like New Zealand and Canada) have implemented similar programs, but it is only in South Africa that restorative justice is part of the national identity. Indulge me in a bit of history: In the late nineties, the country was faced with the challenge of integrating hostile combatants into a new democratic government. This willingness to step away from punitive retribution is what made Nelson Mandela's leadership so unique, and is definitely what saved South Africa from a horrible civil war. On a philosophical level, restorative justice is the only option for the penal system where both the victim and the offender get a positive outcome.
As for its practical ramifications in prison, Hope Prison Ministry is currently running the most unique program of restorative justice I have ever seen. I have worked in prisons for seven years, but I have not seen a program like this. Basically Hope's version takes about fifty inmates through an intense, week-long session where they examine the victims of crime as a ripple effect—starting with their victim but ultimately radiating out to their own families and even themselves. Through small group discussions and presentations by victims and ex-offenders, the men learn a new moral vocabulary for thinking about their lives. There is follow-up for an additional six months including counseling every Monday and a group session every Thursday.
Restorative Justice includes the vital element that is missing from almost every rehabilitation program I have seen—community involvement. Throughout the week, there are phone calls (on speaker phone) where the inmates can hear their family members describe just how painful it is to have them locked behind bars. For many of the men who have had limited contact with their families, this is an intense and revealing experience. The culmination of the week involves a similar experience. The men identify a family member whom they have harmed in some way, and invite them to a service on Saturday where they can publicly apologize. I have never heard of a program that involves the families of prisoners in such a purposeful way.
I found out about this course in a surprising way. I am obviously living in Cape Town at the moment, but all of my contacts in prison are more than an hour away (through deadly South African traffic). I knew there was a huge prison in Cape Town, but it is difficult to arrange for security without knowing somebody working inside. All this changed when I visited Christ Church in Kenilworth. I believe there is only one person in the entire church who works in prison, but I just happened to be connected to her within ten minutes of walking through the door. As it turns out, they were starting a Restorative Justice course the next day, and they were able to get security clearance. “Coincidences,” maybe not...
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