Encore | Restorative Justice: Does it work? Artwork

Precinct 444: The National Law Enforcement Museum Podcast

Over a decade of planning and persistence in the making, the National Law Enforcement Museum has opened its doors to the public. Finally, citizens and law enforcement professionals from diverse perspectives and backgrounds will have a place to share in the vibrant story of American law enforcement. Within the walls of the Museum’s strikingly contemporary exterior, artifacts from our collection of more than 25,000 objects tell the story of American law enforcement – past, present, and future – and engage visitors of all ages in memorable, immersive and experiential exhibits. More importantly, we’re proud that the Museum will serve as a platform for constructive dialogue to help strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. We invite all listeners to follow us and submit questions for upcoming episodes!

For questions or inquiries about the show: Precinct444@nleomf.org

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Precinct 444: The National Law Enforcement Museum Podcast

Encore | Restorative Justice: Does it work?

June 12, 2024 • Season 7 • Episode 5

On this episode of Encore, we take a look back at "Restorative Justice: Does it work?" from January of 2020, when the Museum hosted a panel of experts from the judicial, law enforcement and restorative justice fields who will discuss how their programs work and the results they have experienced. We invite you to listen in and decide for yourself the value of this initiative for building safer communities.

Addressing criminal conduct, challenging obstacles to lasting corrections reform, and healing the resulting harm to individuals and communities are grave concerns in every society. Effectively resolving how to change criminal behavior and reintegrate offenders into their communities has proved to be even more difficult. Our nation’s current system of punishment, isolation, and the lifelong stigmatization of shame produces the opposite of the results we claim we want: individuals who respect both the law and their fellow citizens so they are less likely to re-offend.

Current safety measures based on arresting and incarcerating as many offenders as we can, for increasingly extended prison terms, has proven to be insufficient for the long-term safety needs of our communities, families, and law enforcement officers who risk everything to keep us safe. This uncomfortable but realistic conclusion is readily apparent when we consider that the vast majority of offenders and victims will return to the communities from which they came with even fewer options that change offender or victim opportunity or outlook for change.

The practice of Restorative Justice seeks to improve that dismal outlook through the rebuilding broken ties with communities by reconnecting offenders with community values and encouraging offenders to take responsibility for their actions.

Featuring:

Lashonia Thompson-El, Co-Chief of Violence Reduction of the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Sergeant Aaron Rudolph, Metropolitan (DC) Police Department
Jodie Fleischer, Investigative Reporter NBC4
Zachary Terwilliger, U.S. Attorney of the Eastern District of Virginia
Roman Haferd, Restorative Justice Coordinator of the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia

https://nleomf.org/museum/precinct-444/