When relationships between God and people are severed, the gospel offers restoration. In the same way, restorative justice provides a structure for healing severed relationships between people and those who have hurt them through misconduct or crime. This collaborative, peacemaking approach enables the victim to respond to the offender in a way that best meets their needs and ability to move forward – an essential process as we seek to restore the world back to our creator.

PATHWAY GUIDES

Stephanie Hamm, Chris Riley, and Malcolm Scott

GUIDEBOOK

Click below to flip through a digital guidebook, view recordings of each session, and explore resources to extend your learning. Additionally, the session videos are accessible in the Summit 2020 playlist on the Siburt Institute’s YouTube channel.

SESSIONS

HEALING VICTIMS AND REHABILITATING OFFENDERS WITH RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Jim Buffington

Bridges to Life is a faith-based restorative justice program with a focus on victim impact. To repair harm through restorative justice, Bridges to Life presents three perspectives: crime victim, offender, and volunteer. As a result, the recidivism rates for program graduates are well below the national average.

RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AS A SECOND CHANCE TO CHANGE LIVES

Holly Packer

Second Chance Community Improvement Program (SCCIP) is designed for merging adult, non-violent offenders, using the Positive Behavioral Incentive Systems model. SCCIP opens the door of opportunity for its participants, helping them evolve into successful, responsible, and contributing members of society.

HOLISTIC APPROACH TO A CULTURE OF CARE: Restorative Justice in Education

Everett Vigil and Stephanie Hamm

The Restorative Justice in Education (RJ ED) approach addresses a child’s behavior in an inclusive, meaningful, and engaging manner. It promotes connectedness, taking responsibility, and repairing harm caused to others, maintaining positive interpersonal relationships.

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN THE EDUCATION ARENA

Jay Sheets

Restorative practices in education engage an approach of accountability and discipline instead of punishment. This session uses contracts and relationship-building to equip students to understand themselves and resolve current circumstances.

SPIRITUAL ROOTS IN RESTORATIVE JUSTICE

Justin Bronson Barringer and Chris Riley

Restorative justice is firmly grounded in biblical perspectives of justice. This session explores those connections and addresses how modern systems of law and order are increasingly cut off from those roots.

Speakers and Pathway Guides

JUSTIN BRONSON BARRINGER

Justin Bronson Barringer is a Ph.D. candidate at Southern Methodist University. He and his wife, Rachel, cofounded and run Diapers Etc., the largest diaper pantry in North Texas. Justin has been a missionary in Greece and China and has worked extensively among homeless people in cities as varied as Nashville, Los Angeles, Lexington, and Little Rock. Justin has two children.

JIM BUFFINGTON

Jim Buffington is the COO for Bridges to Life and resides in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Jim received the Texas Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Pathfinder Award for his contributions to the welfare of crime victims in 2019, the Texas Governor’s Criminal Justice Carol S. Vance Volunteer of the Year Service Award in 2008, and the Dallas Cowboys Community Quarterback Award for Volunteer Service in 2007..

STEPHANIE HAMM

Stephanie Hamm is an associate professor of social work and chief diversity officer (CDO) at ACU. Prior to teaching, Stephanie practiced in clinical social work, resulting in a commitment to equip students to be ethical and effective practitioners. As CDO, she works to increase diverse inclusion university-wide as well as with the surrounding community.

HOLLY PACKER

Holly Packer is an alumna of ACU with a bachelor’s degree in ministry to children and families. Holly is passionate about social justice and equal rights for ALL people and hopes to be able to do her part to impact change that creates a more equitable and just world for everyone. She and her husband, Collin, live in Allen, Texas, with their three children.

CHRIS RILEY

Chris Riley is an associate provost, a deputy Title IX coordinator, and an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice at ACU. Chris is currently pursuing research related to the use of restorative justice in a variety of contexts. He and his wife, Rachel, who teaches in ACU’s Department of Psychology, have two teenagers.

MALCOLM SCOTT

Malcolm E. Scott (M.S.S.W.) is program director and assistant professor in the School of Social Work at Abilene Christian University. Malcolm’s research interests focus on youth and community development, urban education and community-engaged scholarship, issues facing vulnerable populations, and higher education access and opportunity for students of color. He has worked collaboratively to address disproportional school discipline practices, and he supports alternatives to suspension and expulsion.

JAY SHEETS

Jay Sheets is the safety and security supervisor for Dallas ISD. He has served as student services coordinator in Dallas ISD and Forney ISD. The responsibilities in both capacities included reducing level II discretionary suspensions, implementing restorative practices throughout the district, and improving attendance, classroom, and school culture.

EVERETT VIGIL

Everett Vigil implements restorative justice practices in school districts in the Southern California area, including after school and expanded learning programs, as an education and leadership consultant. Everett is passionate about training church leaders, parents, and community leaders to utilize restorative justice practices in their churches, homes, and communities. Everett infuses these and other biblical principles into his work, bringing the sacred into the secular.