Due to the work of some individuals, congregations and victim-offender reconciliation programs (VORPs), Mennonites are associated with the work of restorative justice. Restorative justice attempts to heal the wounds that crime inflicts. It recognizes that crime violates relationships and that it engages many stakeholders - victim, offender, community and government.

Restorative justice tries to answer the following questions: How can healing occur? What consequences and obligations have been created? How can repairs be made? What support is needed? How can respect be shown for all parties and dignity be rebuilt? What are the roles of community, collaboration and reintegration? How can things be made right as possible?

The Washington Office examines the role of public policy regarding these questions. It monitors and encourages advocacy in the following policy areas: the death penalty, gun violence prevention, prison/sentencing alternatives, racial disparities and legislation affecting restorative justice. It coordinates its work on criminal justice policy with the MCC U.S. Office on Crime and Justice.

Our recent work includes policy addressing the following:

• the assault weapons ban
• gun purchase background checks
• national reporting on gun deaths
• juvenile justice
• youth and crime (including gangs)
• racial disparities and discrimination in criminal justice (including racial profiling)
• a national moratorium on capital punishment and death penalty abolition
• innocence/exoneration and the use of DNA in capital cases
• mental health, aging and recovery issues
• victims' rights and needs
• the elimination of prison rape
• growth of the prison population
• rural prisons
• sentencing issues (including mandatory minimums)
• ex-felon voting and rights reinfranchisement
• re-entry/reintegration of people who were in prison

In matters of life, crime and violence, we are asked to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Jesus asks us to love others, even enemies, as we would love ourselves (Luke 6: 27,31). May both our actions and policies follow these mandates.

Biblical Reflection: Death Penalty

Biblical Reflection: Juvenile Justice

Biblical Reflection: Prisons

Anabaptists Against the Death Penalty

Gun Violence Prevention Network