Faculty of Social Sciences

How do you feel about Ryan Dickinson's sentence? That was the opening question I was asked in an interview with CBC News. Dickinson, who is 20 years old, is the first person sentenced in connection with Vancouver's Stanley Cup riot. He pled guilty and was given 17 months prison and two years probation.

I feel some relief that finally the cases are being dealt with. It's been eight months since the riot and that's a long time to wait for closure. The criminal justice system is a very slow, cumbersome, and expensive bureaucracy. Shortcomings are obvious; B.C. premier Christy Clark just announced a review of the justice system with a focus on reform.

I also feel sad and frustrated. Authorities in B.C. have chosen a strictly criminal justice approach—police, courts, and prison. What a tremendous loss of an opportunity for healing and building community.

I raise a fundamental question: what is the purpose of our response to an offender?

Do we simply want punishment and retribution? That's what this first sentence was about. Authorities wanted to send a clear message. If we continue to choose this get-tough, eye-for-an-eye approach, we really need to acknowledge what kind of a society that ultimately creates. And what about victims' needs?

Crime hurts. Doesn't it make more sense that justice should be about healing?

I think the purpose of our response to rioters, or any offender, should be to meet the needs of all parties through accountability, healing, and resolution.

The rioters attacked our community and many people were hurt and traumatized. Victims should be offered support and to have a say in what is required for resolution. Offenders need to be held accountable by taking responsibility, directly facing those they hurt, and helping to determine how they can make amends. And it's our community, so we need to also be participants in a justice process.

The evidence is very clear: deterrence does not work; we have extremely high recidivism rates. Restorative justicedoes work. Recidivism is very low; victims report high satisfaction and reduced posttraumatic stress symptoms as well as less fear, anger, hurt, and vengefulness. Interestingly, research shows restorative justice makes the biggest difference with serious and violent crime.

So there are practical, evidence-based, and philosophical reasons for choosing restorative justice.

Dickinson is now going to spend the next year in prison. What have we truly achieved? Are the victim's needs met and are they now healed? Is Dickinson going to be better off when he returns to our community? Are we a safer, stronger, healthier society?

And we're about to continue to rack up an enormous bill, spending millions of dollars responding to the next 125 accused.

Imagine what we could accomplish if we redirected even a small fraction of the costs, say a million dollars, toward incorporating a restorative response?


Kwantlen Journalism student wins two national awards



Metro Vancouver, BC – (February 8, 2012) – Kwantlen Polytechnic University student, Matt DiMera beat out student journalists from across the country, winning two national awards at the Canadian University Press' John H. McDonald Gala on Saturday, January 14, 2012 in Victoria. B.C.

DiMera won in both the Excellence in News Writing and the Excellence in Investigative Reporting categories for his extensive coverage of the Kwantlen Student Association. DeMera is the news editor for Kwantlen's campus newspaper The Runner and is in his third year in Kwantlen's Bachelor of Journalism program.

"I am so honoured that all of the hard work done by myself and The Runner over the last year has been recognized on a national level," says DiMera who hopes to seek out a career in political and advocacy journalism when he graduates.

The John H. McDonald Journalism awards were created in 2003 to celebrate and reward excellence in Canadian student journalism.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for more than 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts and science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 17,500 students annually have a choice from over 200 programs, including bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations.

Interdisciplinary Field School opportunity this summer in Ghana
The 4 week Field School is operated as Sociology 4330: Global Community Service and is worth 6 credits. Students will take part in 2 week internships with a non-government organization (NGO), gain hands-on experience, attend cross-cultural classes, travel and sightsee throughout southern Ghana and participate in dance and music lessions.The Field School is open to all Kwantlen students but those in the Humanities and Social Sciences are particularly encouraged to apply. Here is a slide showfrom last year's successful field school. Application deadline is Jan. 31.

You are invited to attend an information session to learn more! (nature of program, costs, dates, insurance, immunizations, credits, etc)

RICHMOND CAMPUS
Mon Jan. 16; 1 – 2 pm
Richmond Rm. 1820

SURREY CAMPUS
Tues Jan. 17; 1 – 2 pm
Surrey, Cedar Rm. 3065

No longer a 'lost cause'. High school underachiver from Fort Erie earns PhD in criminology