TALES...BEHIND THE BARS
[LIVE, ON-SCENE REPORT!]
AUSTIN (Special)--Numerous ministries working within various parts of the criminal justice system in Texas gathered here May 4th and 5th at the Marriott at the Capitol for a special conference organized by the Restorative Justice Ministry Network of North America based in Huntsville, TX. Conference attendees gathered to obtain new information on how to better operate their ministries, hear firsthand testimonies from exoffenders on changes in their life since their release from prison, and have an opportunity to hear updated information on the current state of criminal justice here in Texas.
The focus and theme of the Conference was on "Peacemaking" and how those involved in the area of restorative justice ministry could make an impact on the lives of those who have been in some way impacted by the specter of crime. Conference attendees has opportunities to participate in a prayer walk around the State Capitol and speak to state legislators and their staffs in regards to various issues of interest including the issue of "parity for chaplains".
Attendees also were privileged to hear panels in regards to the topic of victim/offender reconciliation, speeches from important speakers on various topics, and workshops on topics such as Preparing Your Church for Peacemaking, Victim/Offender Reconciliation Program (Faith-Based), and a roundtable for TDCJ chaplains hosted by TDCJ Director of Chaplains Don Kaspar and Texas Youth Commission Director of Chaplains John Stutz. Also as a part of the conference on Fri. morning, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Governor's Awards were also given out for those individuals who have excelled in the past year in their efforts in the area of Restorative Justice Ministry.
Restorative Justice Ministry Network of North America President Emmitt Solomon says that the purpose of the RJM Conference is to provide a gathering "...of people and helping them know each other--and regional conferences are one of the best ways of doing it. It gets people away from their surroundings to focus on a one issue thing--and this issue is restorative justice--and to be able to give them opportunity to talk to each other about how they go about doing that."
Phillip Dietrich from the Innerchange Freedom Institute at the Carrol Vance Unit thinks that the term "restorative justice ministry" means "...restoring hope in these offenders' lives, restoring some hope that they can get back out into society and make things happen, to restore hope that they can reconcile with families, that they can reconcile with peers and children. And through these ministries, it gives them that hope--that open door...I think the biggest thing we need to remember when we talk about restorative justice is that it's helping...it's touching lives all across the state. I guess the biggest thing is that God is good to us all the time, and restorative justice will be good to all those that continue to participate--and we give God the glory that He's in charge of this and all we are is the vessels that's carrying it along."
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