Forgiveness can be a powerful tool

I've always been a hard-line conservative when it comes to crime and justice.
My views are pretty black and white. If you commit crime, you should be penalised.
And generally, I am of the view that our justice system is fairly limp.
How often do we read about some low-life crim who turns up in court only to have his lawyer bleat on about how hard done by their client has been and how they want to reform their wayward ways.
In many cases it is, in my view, a load of rubbish. I'm frankly sick of reading it.
Truth is there are plenty of people out there who don't give a damn about what harm they cause other people and they are only sorry they got caught.
Crimes of violence are particularly repugnant. The worst of this bad lot should be left to rot in prison. Burglars deserve much harsher sentences too. I could go on.
And, in line with this hard-nosed approach, I have generally been dismissive of programmes such as restorative justice. It has always sounded rather wishy-washy to me.
Until now.
This week, I read the main feature article on page C1 by writer Carly Gibbs and must admit it has changed my mind somewhat.
Reading the anecdotes and what those involved have to say, it is clear that offenders fronting up to their victims and victims getting to meet the person who has hurt them, does have a real place in our justice system.
It is a chance for offenders to say they are sorry and to explain themselves. It is also a chance for these people to see first-hand the hurt and anger, and even devastation, they have caused.
On the flip side, victims have a platform to unleash their feelings and anger.
They can say what they think and what they mean in an honest forum. It can be brutal. And raw. And honest.
Importantly, it is an opportunity for victims to also forgive. Forgiveness can be such a powerful tool and allows people to move on.
The case studies featured in our article today make for interesting reading.
The story of two men who had never met each other and who were similar in so many ways facing off at a restorative justice meeting brings home just how two worlds can collide and really just how random and pointless some crimes can be.
Bay radio personality Brian Kelly also shares his story about how he was involved in a restorative justice meeting with a teenage woman who broke into his home several years ago.
It is also interesting to see how schools are using their own version of restorative justice and catching potential problems early.
Of course, as you will find out when reading Carly Gibbs' story, restorative justice has its limits and it is not suitable for some crimes, criminals and victims.
So, has all this changed my views overall? Not really. I still think penalties and judges are too soft.
But I do think restorative justice has a real place in our system and should be supported.