Each year the CSJ Center recognizes LMU faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community partners through an award named Hidden Heroes. The individuals and groups who are nominated exemplify justice and reconciliation in their lives and their work. CURes is proud to announce that Schoene Mahmood, Program Director for the Restorative Justice Project, was a recipient of the Hidden Heroes Award in 2023. Below is an interview with Schoene to highlight her journey, work, and achievement in restorative justice.
What inspired you to get into restorative justice?
A: Our current systems, particularly judicial ones, are often inadequate in addressing conflicts. The inspiration arises from a desire to find more effective ways to handle conflicts and punishment. The current system focuses exclusively on the punishment while the Restorative Justice Practices methodology fosters ways to focus on what happened, who’s been affected and how, and what can be done to make things better amongst all the parties affected by a conflict. This process gives participants a voice that’s less exclusionary.
What exactly is restorative justice?
Based on Indigenous and African practices, restorative justice provides an alternative approach to conflict resolution that emphasizes holding people accountable while identifying root causes for behavior. With the help of and supports in a collective manner.
What are the goals of implementing RJ in academic institutions?
The goal is to develop a curriculum that fosters relationships between faculty and students. By building a connection, when conflicts arise, there is motivation to resolve them. This approach aims to support offices of student conduct and responsibility, DOI office, and many other campus organizations to capitalize on the work and to develop a restorative community.
What is your biggest accomplishment with restorative justice implementation?
I think our biggest accomplishment has been, despite the challenges, we have persevered and believe in people’s ability to find solutions. Capitalizing on the work of Professor Scott Wood who started the Center for Restorative Justice at the Loyola Law School,, we have developed a curriculum for academic institutions that encourages faculty-student relationships, fostering motivation to address conflicts.
Why did you receive the Hidden Heroes award?
The Hidden Heroes award recognizes our dedication to persevering despite challenges and pushbacks in implementing RJ. We have faith in people’s ability to thrive and provide solutions to help others.
How does the Maori approach influence restorative justice?
The Maori approach emphasizes the importance of the community and values the contributions of each member in their Family Group Conferencing model. RJ, similarly, sees the value in maintaining individuals within the community rather than resorting to banishment.
Can you provide an example of restorative justice in action?
We used Restorative Conferencing to address a vandalism case involving students who damaged a fire exit sign. The conference brought everyone together to recognize the potential danger of faulty equipment during an emergency situation. This approach focuses on addressing the root of the problem rather than simply punishing individuals by giving participants an opportunity to discuss what happened, how everyone (including the wider community) was affected, and what could be done to repair the harm. By the end of the restorative conference the students realized that damaging the fire exit signs could actually be a hazard if there was to be an actual fire and evacuation. They apologized and worked out an agreement to pay restitution for the damages and warn others not to repeat the act in order to help give back to the community.
We offered a Restorative Conference to two girls who engaged in a fight where one of them used her stiletto heel to harm another girl in a cyberbullying incident. This case prompted a call to action for the high school to adopt RJ practices. The two girls sat down with a facilitator, their parents, and administrators. They discussed how they listened to rumors and let the gossip get the best of themselves. It turns out the two families grew up in the same neighborhood and knew some of the same community members. This discussion helped bridge some understanding and the group determined the girl would pay the hospital bill as well as offer some math tutoring to help the other one — and now the two students are actually friends.
How does restorative justice differ from punitive measures in the legal system?
Restorative justice aims to avoid hurting people who hurt others and focuses on healing relationships. Unlike punitive measures, it encourages understanding, dialogue, and finding solutions that benefit both parties.
How can the work of the Southern California RJ Consortium expand?
By bringing together over 80 organizations quarterly via zoom, the Southern California RJ Consortium supports members in implementing RJ practices. To expand this work, there is a need for broader recognition and adoption, including efforts to train staff and create awareness within institutions.
What efforts has Seaver College made in restorative justice training?
Seaver College has made commendable efforts in training its staff on restorative justice. This acknowledgment highlights the importance of institutional support in spreading RJ practices.
What further steps can be taken to expand restorative justice work in institutions?
To expand RJ work, institutions can focus on broader training, awareness campaigns, and creating a supportive environment. Acknowledging successful implementations and sharing best practices can also contribute to wider adoption.
“Schoene has made extraordinary contributions to the mission and culture of LMU. By bringing restorative practices into the classroom, administrative offices and into the lives of our students, she has helped to normalize the ideas of healing and responsibility, replacing old ideas of infractions and punishment. The skills she helps build in her colleagues is so prescient at a time when conflict over ideas has the possibility of undermining the very ground on which higher education stands. She helps us to see how interpersonal conflict can provide a forum to help reveal the connectedness we have as a community.”
– Dr. Eric Strauss, Executive Director – Center for Urban Resilience