Policy Primer Focuses on Role of Communities in Cutting Crime

AUSTIN – Restorative justice is the focus of the Texas Public Policy Foundation’s next Policy Primer “Justice on a Small Scale: Empowering Victims and Neighborhoods Through Restorative Processes.”

Restorative justice emphasizes the involvement of all stakeholders – criminals victims and communities – to repair the harm caused or revealed by criminal behavior. A panel of criminal justice experts will discuss how practices such as victim-offender mediation and neighborhood councils can mobilize communities to fight crime.

Marc Levin Director of the Foundation’s Center for Effective Justice will moderate the discussion. Panelists will include:

• Leigh Garrett – Chief Executive Officer of Offenders Aid & Rehabilitation Services and Director of the Centre for Restorative Justice in Adelaide South Australia;

• Michael Gilbert Ph.D. – Professor of Criminal Justice University of Texas at San Antonio; and

• Paul Kosierowski – Deputy Chief Probation Officer Bexar County Community Supervision and Corrections Department.

The Policy Primer will be held at the Foundation’s headquarters – 900 Congress Avenue Suite 400 in Austin.  While the event is open to the public pre-registration via the Foundation’s website www.TexasPolicy.com is required.  A complimentary lunch will be provided.

WHAT:
Policy Primer – “Justice on a Small Scale: Empowering Victims and Neighborhoods Through Restorative Processes.”

WHEN:
Thursday June 28 2007 – 11:30 a.m.

WHERE:
Texas Public Policy Foundation
900 Congress Avenue Suite 400 (Austin)

The Texas Public Policy Foundation is a non-profit free-market research institute based in Austin.