“It’s What’s on the Inside That Counts”: A Pilot Study of the Subjective Changes among Returned Citizens Participating in a Peer-Mentor Support Initiative

“Social workers by day and terrorists by night?” Wounded healers, restorative justice, and ex-prisoner reentry

“…However, much of this research is focused on the impact to participants-prioritizing the experience of the clients on the receiving end of servicesrather than practitioners, and only limited research has looked specifically at restorative justice programs Teater, 2018, 2020). Of the studies that do acknowledge the impact of the leadership role, researchers have found that individuals can increase their self-worth, gain positive peer networks, acquire practical employment, reduce feelings of isolation, and promote co-desistance processes, in line with this study (Buck, 2020;Lopez-Humphreys and Teater, 2020;Nixon, 2020).…”

“…However, the involvement of ex-prisoner practitioners at CRJI inevitably created suspicions in certain spheres and was often utilized as a method of critique. Detractors could be found within the government, who wished to uphold the state's control over the justice arena (Ingram, 1997; Northern Ireland Office, 1998); from other restorative justice agencies, who believed the ex-prisoner-led model would tarnish the restorative justice “brand” (Criminal Justice Review, 2000); and from some community members, who disliked the ex-prisoners’ affiliation with the Republican Movement (McEvoy and Eriksson, 2008; Maginness, 2006). These opponents accused CRJI of acting as a “front organization” for the IRA, of circumventing principles of due process, of promoting vigilantism, and of imposing “terrorist” control over communities (Criminal Justice Review, 2000; McGrattan, 2010).…”

Addressing Challenges and Opportunities in Juvenile Justice: Meeting the Needs of Incarcerated Adolescent Populations

“…There is true power in young people building relationships and learning from prosocial individuals who have experienced postrelease success. Research has found that peer mentorship programs, such as the one we have implemented in Washington, can lead to significant improvements in youths' self-identity, self-esteem, hope, and other subjective factors (see Lopez-Humphries & Teater, 2019). Many other justice system leaders have implemented similar strategies, and we hope to continue growing our investment in this space because of the positive outcomes we have witnessed thus far.…”