Restorative Justice Initiative Conference: “Making It Personal” (Day #1)

Restorative Justice Initiative Conference: “Making It Personal”

Join us for a four day virtual conference series the week of Monday, November 9, 2020. Online programs will start at 12:15 p.m. each day.

Through Marquette Law School’s Restorative Justice Initiative conferences over the past 12 years, we have looked at the impact of RJ philosophy and practices on survivors and offenders of crimes and offenses, from bullying in schools to sexual violence to international terrorism. Let us now turn our lens inward and reflect on how restorative justice can make a difference to us personally. How do we understand RJ not just in our justice system and our communities but also in our families—and how can we make its practices part of our everyday lives? As others move on from horrific events, how can we move on from the traumas we may experience on an individual level?

We will start the four day event with the big picture and take a deep dive into the roots of RJ and focus especially on the spirituality of the healing circle. How can you be emotionally ready for healing to begin? We will review what we have learned from past conferences and look at what we hoped our participants would take forward from the experiences. What were Professor Janine Geske’s hopes for all of us? How can we carry forward this critical work?

Program Schedule

Monday, November 9: watch an interview with the Honorable Janine Geske (ret.). She will explain the roots of restorative justice and the spirituality of the healing circle, as well as the lessons she has learned over her years of doing RJ work. The video will be posted on this webpage. To watch you will need to click on the words “Watch Now” starting any time after 12:15 p.m. on November 9 to view the program. The program will be not be available until then and the words “Watch Now” will not appear until the day of the event (just prior to the event). Approximately 50 minutes.

Tuesday, November 10: watch a circle, moderated by Janine Geske, with Ron Edwards, Milwaukee Police Department; LT Austin, advocate for formerly incarcerated people; and Penny Beernsten, survivor (all past RJI Conference participants). The focus is on their healing process and how they use RJ. Video will be posted here at 12:15 p.m. Approximately 50 minutes.

Wednesday, November 11: watch Reverend Daniel Griffith, Pastor, Our Lady of Lourdes, and Wenger Family Fellow of Law, University of St. Thomas School of Law, Liaison for Restorative Justice and Healing, Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, talk about how you can make restorative justice work in your life. Video will be posted here at 12:15 p.m.  Approximately 25 minutes.

Thursday, November 12: tune in to watch Janine and Father Griffith live via Zoom at 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. to answer questions received during the week.

These are not CLE programs.

Link to past Restorative Justice Initiative Conferences.

COVID-19 health protocols were followed during filming.