Changing Lenses: A New Focus for Crime and Justice

Changing Lenses is a profound, insightful read that is a must for those whose concern and passion is in social justice. This book cannot be ignored in the field and I trust will help give guidance for the kind of creative change that needs to be considered in our present justice system.

This book was handed to my by the religious leader of my church after a discussion regarding my son's legal problems. In this book Zehr takes issue with the current system, which many claim is based on the Old Testament of the Bible. He views the criminal justice system as one which has been built on retributive justice. This system is built on retribution, the "eye for an eye" viewpoint. Zehr raises several substantial questions: Is the retribution system working as a deterrent to crime? Is the retribution system truly in line with the ideas of the Bible -- both Old and New Testaments? Does the retribution system really help the victim? Does "punishment" really rehabilitate the offender? Moving forward Zehr then talks about a restorative system of justice. This system of justice is more akin to our civil courts than our criminal courts. Rather than being a crime against the state, the action of the offender is regarded as a crime against a person. Both victim and offender see each other. If done well, both victim and offender come to know each other as people, not just faceless stereotypes. This step alone can make a huge difference. For the victim, it's a chance to express his or her sense of violation. For the offender, it's a chance to understand that he or she hurt a person, not just the owner of a house that he or she ripped off. Zehr realizes that he is wrestling with a utopian ideal. Restorative justice is far easier for us to accord to those who have done crimes such as burglary (unless you have been a victim of one and understand how violating the event can be). But what about the more brutal crimes of rape, child molestation or murder? Zehr believes the system needs substantial revamping in these ways as well, but acknowledges it is a much more difficult solution. Food for thought.

Zehr's classic work is the best introduction to the concepts of restorative justice. "Changing Lenses" details the abuses of our current retributive justice system and proposes a new (and old) biblical, practical and indispensible vision for a criminal system that restores justice.Zehr combines his theological and intellectual insights with his experience as founder of the first victim-offender mediation program in the United States. No one interested in mediation or criminal justice should be without this book.