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Restorative Justice - Newgate Initiative

What is Restorative Justice?

 

Restorative Justice involves people ministering to the needs of victims, inmates, ex-offenders, criminal justice professionals, and families of all of those impacted by crime. 

 

 

What Is The Newgate Initiative?

 

The Texas Annual Conference (TAC) of the United Methodist Church established The Newgate Initiative to increase involvement in Restorative Justice ministry.   Newgate was a prison in London dating back to the 1500’s and King Henry VIII.  It was closed in 1902 and demolished to make room for the Central Criminal Court (Old Bailey).

 

John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement, held worship services in the Newgate Prison in the 1700’s.  He was a dedicated lobbyist for prison reform, and believed that ministry to the poor and imprisoned was as essential to discipleship as prayer. 

 

NEWGATE INITIATIVE PURPOSE: To serve as an advocate for change by connecting and equipping churches and individuals to minister to those incarcerated, their families, justice workers, and victims while working to improve re-entry ministries for offenders and their families.

 

VISION: Lives impacted by crime will be restored by the love of Jesus Christ through Restorative Justice Ministries.


MISSION: To inspire Texas Annual Conference congregations into personal participation in Restorative Justice activities and to facilitate their active engagement.

 

Newgate Initiative Services

 

·         Help congregations get involved in existing Restorative Justice ministries or start a new one

·         Provide inspirational speakers for worship services, Sunday Schools and special events

·         Offer district workshops to raise awareness of local Restorative Justice ministry needs and opportunities, and to share best practices

·         At Annual Conference, offer a breakfast seminar, workshops, information table and present at the plenary session

·         Provide seed money to small churches for new Restorative Justice ministries

 

Restorative Justice Video with Jack Walker

 

UMC Social Principles

 

Criminal and Restorative Justice.  Paragraph 164F

  

“…Most criminal justice systems around the world are retributive. These … profess to hold the offender accountable to the state and use punishment as the equalizing tool for accountability.

 

In contrast, restorative justice seeks to hold the offender accountable to the victimized person, and to the disrupted community. Through God’s transforming power, restorative justice seeks to repair the damage, right the wrong, and bring healing to all involved, including the victim, the offender, the families and the community.

 

The Church is transformed when it responds to the claims of discipleship by becoming an agent of healing and systemic change.”