Restorative
Justice Plank and Initiative Proposal
(the Platform Committee has an updated version available from squehee@ucla.edu)(May, 2004) Draft 10/8/05
SPONSOR:
Platform Committee
PRESENTER CONTACT: KCM Curry kcmcurry43@yahoo.com,
E Green info@green247.org
SUBJECT:
The Restorative Justice Initiative
involves the Key Values grassroots
democracy, social justice and equal opportunity, feminism and gender equity,
peace and non-violence, respect for diversity, sustainable and personal and
global responsibility. It is a more sustainable alternative, where possible, to
criminal justice, which is on the GPCA Platform.
BACKGROUND
AND PURPOSE: Through mediation, full
restitution, government and community reform and reconciliation, we can restore
six million victims of violent crime per year. They will boost the peace
economy through spending and creating job opportunities. We can help millions
of violence addicts recover peace of mind. We can begin a self-sustaining cycle
of healing and restoration. This initiative is supported by the GPCA Platform
sections criminal justice, violence in society, foreign policy and health care,
and GPUS II. Sections F 2, 12, 13, 15 (G 22), and 19.
PROPOSAL: Given adequate funding, the courts can
provide a variety of means to achieve social justice. The failure of one
justice system must prompt the development of alternative justice systems. A balance of government powers requires a balance of
appropriations for government operations. Otherwise, the executive branch could
purchase the means with which to coerce the legislative branch to impoverish
the judicial branch and the people along with it. We can create
sustainable government. We can provide social justice that restores millions of victims,
offenders and communities, using funding from
violence profiteers for a self-sustaining cycle of healing and conservation.
The GPCA supports…
1. the restorative justice process
available as a preliminary option in every court in every jurisdiction, initiated at
the request of any party to the conflict, through the existing diversionary and Rule 16 processes.
2. full restitution for the
disenfranchised uncompensated US citizens who were victimized by authority figures through violent crime committed in the USA.
Restitution is made through the Social Security Administration until the case is decided in a Court with a proven unbiased jury.
3. the use of all applicable laws,
including the Geneva Conventions and VAWA in the restorative justice process.
4. facilitation of reparations to
ensure speedy restorative justice, which commences within a week for all
traumatized individuals.
5. a simple restitution application
form promoted and available at all libraries and government offices, and immediately
processed by the SSA and Courts.
6. investigation with a minimum of
intrusion upon the disenfranchised, and conducted only by empathic
survivors of like violations.
7. hiring the disenfranchised
survivors of violent offenses and other violations to advocate for victims of
similar violations, and conduct the restorative justice process.
8. a 40 to 100% tax on the sale and
promotion of violence products and services to reflect the true cost of
violence.
9. administration of violence-tax funds
and any necessary supplemental legislative appropriations by the judiciary:
a. streamlining the justice system
to automate the justice and restitution processes by empowering judicial hiring of analysts,
outsourcing of complex cases, and modification of Federal and Local Rules;
b. government appropriations balanced
among the three branches of government, and requiring every branch for
approval. The Senate should either be a judicial or legislative function. If it
is legislative, then the body of elected Court officials must have veto power
for all appropriations;
c. a judiciary budget for outreach to the
disenfranchised to inform them of how to use the restorative justice process;
d. judiciary recruiters throughout the
USA to encourage all parties to any conflict to engage in the restorative
justice process;
e. reparations
for individuals in the amounts reported as average costs by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and
other publications of scientific research, as ordered by the Court to restore
heath, career, home, family and social support with a minimum of aggravated damages.
10. administration of
funds by the Social Security Administration
through distribution of restitution to the disenfranchised citizens, starting within a week of any traumatic
violence committed by authority figures:
DEFINITIONS: A violence product the restorative justice process:
REFERENCES:
More at www.green247.org/rj.htm
1. contains any trace of violence,
without redeeming value. Example: cops and robbers portrayed as a game; or,
2. depicts violence without punishment.
Example: virtual child pornography.
An anti-violence product contains redeeming value. Example:
self-defense video.
Redeeming value requires:
1. depiction of the pain, punishment,
penance or other adverse effect of the use of violence;
2. a constant message that the violence
is in error, unethical, inappropriate, criminal or harmful; and,
3. emphasis on the immorality,
unsuitability, crime, harm and error of the violence.
Violence addiction is the frequent desire to view, listen to,
feel, or commit violence.
Each side tells the story.
Each side acknowledges the violation.
Apology, offer and acceptance.
Reparation, offer and acceptance.
Forgiveness by everyone.
Reconcile with the community.
Optional steps - Reconcile with a higher power and/or with each other.
archive version at
http://www.green247.org/security.htm
COMMITTEE DECISION:
First, this proposal was posted as a set of plank amendments at http://www.cagreens.org/platformsc/
In May of 2004, it was posted on the platform committee listserv
In April of 2004, it was posted on the Women’s Caucus listserv.
It was presented, as much as possible, to the standing Platform Committee at
the Ventura plenary in 2004 and the Sylmar plenary in 2005.
TIME LINE: Total Floor time request - 30 minutes if all participating delegates have read and comprehend the materials referenced herein. 60 minutes otherwise.
RESOURCES: Violent criminals in
the USA injure 6 million Americans per year. We want to reach all of these citizens.
We want to help heal the violent, and restore the
victims and communities. We want their signatures on the initiative, and
their enthused registration with the Green Party.
Need a large screen at least 6’x6’ and overhead projector, or
warning of none so that handouts can be prepared.
Need compensation for travel and accommodations for the presenters
approved 3 weeks prior to the plenary, if possible.
This proposal should generate some media attention to GPCA, so
all journalists are welcome, but must get permission in writing before taking any
photograph of anyone.