Full title in original language:
Understanding transformational space: an analysis of restorative justice conferences through religious studies theoretical lenses
Education level:
University University (18+ years)Topic / subtopic:
Crime prevention and criminal justice Restorative justice Criminal justice systemTarget audience:
Students,
Teachers / Lecturers
Type of resource:
Publication / Article
Languages:
English
Region of relevance:
Global
Access:
restricted access: requiring payment
Individual authors:
Lindsey C. Pointer
Publication year:
2016
Published by:
Restorative Justice. An International Journal / Taylor & Francis
Copyright holder:
© Taylor & Francis
Contact name and address:
Taylor & Francis
Contact email:
enquiries@taylorandfrancis.com
Key themes:
cpcj, criminal justice, justice, crime, restorative justice, conference, religious, religious studies, theorethical
Links:
Short description:
Implemented after a crime occurs, restorative justice conferences create a transformational space where victim and offender can move from feelings of enmity towards reconciliation and healing, and where the community can be repaired. This paper is an analysis of restorative justice conferences through the theoretical lenses of religious studies, in an endeavour to better understand the transformational space created by these conferences. Mircea Eliade’s comparative approach allows for a comparison between the transformative space of restorative justice conferences and processes and structures yielding similar space. An analysis through Victor Turner’s theoretical lens reveals the way in which restorative justice conferences closely resemble religious ritual through the presence of liminality and communitas. The utilisation of the Emile Durkheim functionalist lens allows for the functional similarities of restorative justice conferences to religious ritual to be highlighted.