Description
Book SynopsisThis book examines the phenomenon of Community Justice Centres and their potential to transform the justice landscape by tackling the underlying causes of crime.
Marred by recidivism, addiction, family violence, overflowing courtrooms, crippling prison spending and extreme rates of incarceration, the criminal justice system is in crisis. Community Justice Centres seek to combat this by tackling the underlying causes of crime in a particular neighbourhood and working with local people to redesign the experience of justice and enhance the notion of community. A Community Justice Centre houses a court which works with an interdisciplinary team to address the causes of criminality such as drug addiction, cognitive impairment, mental illness, poverty, abuse and intergenerational trauma. The community thus becomes a key agent of change, partnering with the Centre to tackle local issues and improve safety and community cohesion. This book, based on research into this innovative
Table of Contents
Preface. Introduction: Court Reform and the Community Justice Centre Experience – Midtown and Beyond. 2 The Community Justice Centre Model. 3 Case studies of Community Justice. 4 Lessons from Community Justice: Evaluations, Boundaries and Obstacles. 5 The Possibilities of Mainstreaming the Model. 6 Conclusion: The Future of Community Justice: Prospects and Challenges.
