ABSTRACT

Individual transformation is a necessary, but not sufficient step, in the development of a criminal justice system based on a peacemaking perspective. In a perfect world, all individuals would recognize the wisdom in treating others with respect, dignity, and concern. The move toward the transformation of all of us in this way is the work of the great religious and wisdom traditions of the world. As we enter the new millennium, this movement is still a work in progress. Although we hope that every individual will eventually find peace and justice in their hearts, in the meantime we must try to ensure that our social institutions encourage these objectives through both their expressed goals, and the means used to achieve those goals. In other words, our social institutions must model the very behaviors we are attempting to instill in ourselves. For some institutions, such as the family, the church, and the school, the principles of the peacemaking perspective are widely acknowledged as being desirable and effective. For other institutions, such as the criminal justice system, there is less consensus about the relevance of a peacemaking approach. In fact, a war-on-crime and a war-on-drugs atmosphere pervades the criminal justice system.1 Any alternative to this war perspective is considered to be “soft on crime” and is easily dismissed by politicians who consider advocating peace and justice a form of political suicide.