I do understand the concept of "restorative" justice, Janie... I spent a couple years as a GED teacher in the Richmond (Va.) City Jail and have ahd a long time to contemplate how the community and the offender find common ground...

That's how it works if I understand the concept...

There are two elements that need to be addressed by offenders for the system to be successful: restitution and restoration... Problem is that restoring folks to what they were ain't all that productive for any one... That's where my idea of a private/public partnership comes into play... Don't restore them to ripping and running... Change the paradigm...

B~