K-State Salina's Civic Luncheon Lecture to look at new ways of effective discipline in criminal justice
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
SALINA — As an alternative to incarceration, Kansas State University Salina's latest Civic Luncheon Lecture will explore the idea of rehabilitating criminal offenders through restorative justice — a process that involves the victim and the community affected.
"Restorative Justice: A New Way to Look at Criminal Justice" will be presented at noon Thursday, March 12, at K-State Salina's College Center conference room. Lisa Bedinger, a Salina Central High School graduate and coordinator of the South Burlington Community Justice Center in South Burlington, Vermont, will lead the discussion. Ann Zimmerman, a member of the Salina Initiative for Restorative Justice steering committee, will act as the moderator.
Restorative justice usually involves a mediator or panel made up of citizen volunteers that help the victim confront the offender in a low-level crime. The panel also weighs in on the offender's punishment. Through the collaborative effort, the hope is that relationships are rebuilt and an entire community becomes stronger and safer, all while correction costs are lowered.
"Restorative justice can minimize the social and fiscal costs of crime in a town like Salina," said Greg Stephens, associate professor of arts, sciences and business at K-State Salina. "Programs that have helped communities shift away from a crime and punishment model have seen quality results for both victims and offenders, which I think makes it worth further examination."
The Civic Luncheon Lecture Series is free and the public is invited. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch or purchase their lunch at the K-State Café and then bring their tray into the conference room.
Stephens created K-State Salina's Civic Luncheon Lecture Series to provide the campus and the community with an opportunity to learn about and participate in various current events impacting local issues. For more information on the series, contact Stephens at 785-819-6887 or gregs@k-state.edu, or visit http://www.salina.k-state.edu/civicluncheon/.
