BGCT, UT San Antonio planning restorative justice consortium

Posted: 1/27/06

BGCT, UT San Antonio planning
restorative justice consortium

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

SAN ANTONIO—The Baptist General Convention of Texas and the University of Texas at San Antonio’s community and restorative justice office may create a consortium of restorative justice leaders.

The group would fall under the university’s College of Public Policy and would be a place to bring together academics and practitioners in restorative justice for discussion and research, said Tomi Lee Grover, restorative justice specialist for the BGCT.

Restorative justice ministries commonly are thought of as prison ministries, but the term actually refers to a larger effort, Grover said.

Ministers serve at multiple levels to prevent people from turning to a life of crime—ministering to inmates or working with former inmates to build productive lives, she noted. They also serve as volunteer chaplains with law enforcement agencies and work as advocates for the rights of victims of violent crime.

A consortium of leaders could aid this process by providing statistical information about how methods are working and developing new ministry models, she continued.

A cooperative effort between academicians and ministers is needed to have significant impact on society, Grover said. “It’s going to take a multifaceted approach to address the issues that are so difficult.”

Professors bring information and research to the forum, Grover said. They often know about worldwide trends that can help inform people interested in restorative justice.

Ministers offer practical stories and a passion for the field, she said. They often practice restorative justice by mentoring young people, counseling families, leading Bible studies and serving families touched by the criminal justice system.

The consortium is one way Grover is trying to raise awareness of restorative justice issues. She teaches classes on the topic at Howard Payne University and is talking with Baylor University and Dallas Baptist University about adding a community and restorative justice component to each school’s curriculum.

“The church can intersect with the criminal justice system in many, many ways,” she said. “Our goal is not only to get people involved at the educational level, but at the grassroots level.”