And we're back again with more of the highlights from the year just past. As a part of our Austin trip this year, we spent a good deal of time dealing with current developments within the criminal justice system here in Texas. A recent Restorative Justice Ministries Conference proved to be the most appropriate forum that enabled us to do it:
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 ex-offenders on changes in their lives 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 "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 had 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 regard 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 Friday morning, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Governor's Awards were given out for those individuals who have excelled in the past year in their efforts in the area of Restorative Justice Ministry.
Restorative Justice Ministries 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."
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