Restorative justice and the transformation of jails: an urban sheriff's case study in reducing violence

Authors: Schwartz S.; Hennessey M.; Levitas L.

Source: Police Practice and Research, Volume 4, Number 4, December 2003 , pp. 399-410(12)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

Traditionally, the mandate of urban sheriffs has included a variety of responsibilities with resources focused in particular on jail management and limited law enforcement and correctional functions. In recent years management staff and community partners of the San Francisco Sheriff's Department have sought to implement an integrated response to violence and overall reform of the intervention protocol of the county jail informed by restorative justice principles. This paper describes the implementation and early impact evaluation results of the Resolve to Stop the Violence Program (RSVP) as a restorative justice response to victims, offenders, and communities seeking to break the cycle of violence. Implications for community impact, citizen and community involvement, and organizational reform based on restorative justice values in urban jails are considered.

Keywords: Jail reform; Restorative justice; Violence

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15614260310001631299

Affiliations: 1: San Francisco Sheriff's Department, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, City Hall, Room #456, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA

Publication date: 2003-12-01