Howard Zehr

Dr. Howard Zehr is Professor of Restorative Justice at the Center for Justice & Peacebuilding, Eastern Mennonite University.

Before coming to EMU in 1996, Dr. Zehr served for 19 years as director of the Office on Crime and Justice for Mennonite Central Committee U.S. His book, Changing Lenses: A New Focus for Crime and Justice* has been a foundational work in the growing restorative justice movement; in their book Restoring Justice, Dan Van Ness and Karen Heederks Strong cite him as the “grandfather of restorative justice.” He is author of numerous other books and articles.

Dr. Zehr lectures and consults internationally on topics related to restorative justice including victim offender conferencing, which he helped pioneer. He has also worked professionally as a photographer and photojournalist; a current involvement, with Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, is a photo/interview project, When a parent is in prison.

In May, 2008, he was appointed to the Victims Advisory Group of the U.S. Sentencing Commission. He serves on various other advisory boards.

For his blog, see http://emu.edu/blog/restorative-justice/
(For his photography, see www.howardzehr.com)

B.A., Morehouse College, 1966
M.A., University of Chicago, 1968
Ph.D., Rutgers University, 1974

Books:

Critical Issues in Restorative Justice (ed., with Barb Toews) (Criminal Justice Press: Monsey, NY 2004).

The Little Books of Justice and Peacebuilding (General series editor; following titles are part of that series)

The Little Book of Contemplative Photography (Intercourse, PA. Good Books, 2005).

The Little Book of Family Group Conferencing, New Zealand Style (Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2004). With Allan MacRae.

The Little Book of Restorative Justice (Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2002). (Translated into Japanese, Czech, Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, etc.; an adapted version, with Ali Gohar, published in Pakistan in English, Pushto, Urdu and Persian; also translated in Iran and other countries.)

Transcending: Reflections of Crime Victims (Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 2001). (Japanese edition, 2006)

Doing Life: Reflections of Men and Women Serving Life Without Parole (Intercourse, PA: Good Books, 1996). (Japanese edition, 2006)

Changing Lenses: A New Focus for Crime and Justice (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1990; revised 1995; Third Edition 2005). Published in Russian (1998), Japanese (2003), Ukranian (2004), Korean (2006), Arabic, Portuguese (Brazil 2008). Others in process.

Crime and the Development of Modern Society: Patterns of Criminality in Nineteenth Century Germany and France (London, UK: Croom Helm, 1976).

Recent articles & chapters:

“The Intersection of Restorative Justice with Trauma Healing, Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding, Journal for Peace and Justice Studies, Vol. 18., No. 1-2, 20-30.
Essay and photos in Visual Restoration by Phoebe Zinman, (Philadelphia, PA: Mural Arts Program, 2009)
Cover endorsements for various books including Sunny Schwartz, Dreams from the Monster Factory (Scribner) and Cheryl Swanson, Restorative Justice in a Prison Community (Lexington Books)
Forward for Elaine Enns & Ched Myers, Ambassadors of Reconciliation, Vol. II: Diverse Christian Practices of Restorative Justice and Peacemaking (forthcoming, Orbis)
“The Role of Restorative Justice in Peacebuilding,” Peace Prints: South Asian Journal of Peacebuilding, Vol. 1, No. 1, Spring 2008, 19-36
“Restorative Justice in Death Penalty Cases: Defense-Initiated Victim Outreach.”– chapter to be included in John Dussich and Jill Schellenberg, Restorative Justice in Unlikely Places (forthcoming)
Foreword to Paul Redekop, Changing Paradigms: Punishment and Restorative Discipline (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 2007)
“Why Can’t We Just Apologize?”, Crime Victims Report, Vol 11, No. 3, July/August 2007 p. 38.
Foreword to new English edition of Nils Christie, Limits to Pain (2007).
Preface to the Japanese edition of The Little Book of Restorative Justice.
Short column in New Zealand for “Ideas from the Edge,” New Zealand Inspired(UK), Feb/Mar. 2008 (p. 30).
“Doing Justice, Healing Trauma: The Role of Restorative Justice in Peacebuilding” Peace Track, Spring 2008 (WISCOMP, India).
Foreword, Martin Wright, Restoring Respect for Justice, 2nd edition (UK: Waterside Press, 2008)
Foreword, Jarem Sawatsky, Justpeace Ethical Guide for Restorative Justice and Peacebuilding (working title; Cascade Books, forthcoming)
Foreword, Margot Van Sluytman, Sawbonna: I See You. Dialogue of Hope (forthcoming)

“The Core Meaning of Restorative Justice, ” www.washingtonspark.org, 14 April 2007.

“Slavery Apology: admit wrongs; realize lasting impact,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution op-ed, 3/13/07.

“Capital Punishment is about vengeance, not justice,” Sojourners, April 2007 (46-47).

“A Christmas reflection on the death penalty” – released by EMU news service and used by various publications, 12/06.

Op-ed piece on apology – released by EMU news service and used by various publications, 3/07.

“Reframing Justice,” http://kcstories.com/kcolivebranch/WordPress.

“Signposts and markers on a circuitous road: Standards and values in restorative justice,” in New Frontiers in Restorative Justice, Warwick Tie, Shirley Juelich and Vicky Walters (eds.). (Auckland, New Zealand: Massey University Center for Justice and Peace Development, 2006).

“Justice: Retribution or Restoration,” http://www.peaceworkmagazine.org, September 2006.

“The Ideas of Engagement and Empowerment,” in Handbook of Restorative Justice, Dan Van Ness and Gerry Johnstone (eds.) (UK: Willan, 2006) (Co-author Jennifer Larson Sawin)

2008-2009 Presentations and interviews include:

International

Copenhagen, Denmark 11/11/08-11/15/08: Opening presentation, “Restorative Justice, principles & practices,” Danish Parliamentary Hearing, sponsored by the Danish Association of Mediation and Conflict Resolution, 11/12/08; Public lecture, “Essential and Critical Issues in Restorative Justice,” sponsored by the University of Copenhagen Institute of Criminology and the Danish Association of Mediation and Conflict Resolution 11/13/08; Day-long workshop, “The Promise & Challenge of Restorative Justice,” University of Copenhagen 11/14/08; Misc. informal gatherings.

Oslo, Norwary 11/17-11/18/08: Two public lectures (Restorative Justice: What it is, why it works…; and The Promise & Challenge of RJ for Victims) National Mediation Service of Norway, 11/17/08; Seminar/lecture, “Some Critical Issues in Restorative Justice,” Institute of Criminology, 11/18/08; Misc. informal gatherings

Others include: Evaluation of research proposal for National Research Foundation (South Africa); Participating network member, National Institute on Public Safety and Criminal Justice, to be sponsored by the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology; second supervisor for PhD dissertation at Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand.

U.S. lectures and training

Koru gathering (25 CJP graduates doing restorative justice), Harrisonburg, VA 6/8-6/11
“Doing Documentary Work,” presentation to lunch group at Fairfield Industries 6/4/08
Medford, OR: “Exploring Justice in Jackson County: What can restorative justice offer?” (with Aaron Lyons & Matthew Hartman; sponsored by Mediation Works): dinner keynote; two keynotes, one-day conference; miscellaneous consultations
Plenary panel presenter, annual Airlie death penalty conference, Warrenton, PA 7/12/08
Plenary panel presenter, USSC Symposium on Alternatives to Incarceration (U.S. Sentencing Commission), Washington, D.C., 7/14-15
Guest presenter, MCC constituent restorative justice practitioners’ gathering, Akron, PA 10/8/08
Featured artist, Beyond Words: Imaging a Visual Spirituality” retreat (one forum, one keynote, one workshop), Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Laurelville, PA 10/24-26/08
Guest lecturer, undergraduate “Cities” class, EMU 10/29/08
Champagne/Urban, Illinois visit 11/5/08-11/9/08: Sociology Discussion Group, University of Illinois; public lecture, Knight Auditorium, University of Illinois; opening keynote, Regional Pathways Conference (juvenile justice); diversity seminar, Dept of Clinical Psychology ; workshop with Peer Ambassadors and residents, County Juvenile Detention Center (with Soula Pefkaros); presentation, All-faith Workshop, First Mennonite Church, (withSoula Pefkaros); sermon, First Mennonite Church; misc. informal gatherings
American Humane Association Restorative Justice Council meeting (co-facilitated), San Diego, CA 1/7-9/09
Oakland, CA 1/5-7 (RJOY – Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth): dinner meeting with board members and others; restorative justice session with detained youth, Write to Read program, Alameda County Library, Juvenile Hall Literacy, San Leandro, CA (with Jacqueline Sakho); meeting with Alameda County RJ Task Force/Strategic Planning Group; ,eeting (and presentation) with school, justice and community people, Cole Middle School; ,eeting with school disciplinary officials.
Consultation and training around clergy sexual abuse interventions.
“The call to story,” Sermon, Shalom Mennonite Congregation, 2/8/09
Opening and closing plenary addresses, Restorative Justice Conference, Fresno Pacific University, 2/13-14/09
Guest presenter, general education justice class, James Madison University 2/09; & senior seminar, EMU 3/12/09.
“Loosing the Chains of Injustice: Restorative Justice, the Biblical Roots, and Current Practices, Waynesburg University, Waynesburg, PA 3/16-3/17/09, with Ted Grimsrud: lectures in two classes plus discussion groups; “Restoring Justice: Christians and Crime” (public lecture); meeting with long-term prisoners, SCI Greene
Concord, MA 3/25-3/29/09 (Sponsored by Communities for Restorative Justice): breakfast eeting with 19 police chiefs plus other administrators; presentation to Concord-Carlisle High School advanced photography class; visit with ROCA staff (Chelsie); donor reception and Community Forum (lecture), Trinitarian Congregational Church (with “Meaning of Life” and “When a Parent is in Prison” exhibits); meeting with RJ volunteers
Omaha, NE 4/2-4/7/09: 12th Annual Gandhi Award Symposium, University of Nebraska at Omaha School of Social Work: 2 keynote lectures plus panel; Restorative Justice Seminar, sponsored by Heartland Family Service: 2 plenary presentations plus wrap up exercise; noon presentation, Douglas Civic Center.
Keynote address, LAVORP 2009 Annual Dinner, Lancaster, PA 4/16/09
“Doing Justice on the Healing Edge,” Windows on the World lecture series, Eastern University, Philadelphia, PA 4/17/09
Class presentation & discussion, Hanover College & inmates, Philadelphia Prison, Philadelphia, PA 4/17/09
Remarks, book release and exhibit opening: “Visual Restoration,” Mural Arts Program, Philadelphia, PA 4/17/09.
After dinner speech, Bridgewater College Philomathes Society, 4/20/09
.

Media

Started and maintained restorative justice blog;
Mention in AP story on Morehouse and in Black Enterprise (http://www.blackenterprise.com/cms/exclusivesopen.aspx/id/4526)
Interview, Omaha TV
Radio interview/call-in show, “The Jefferson Exchange,” (Keith Henty) Jefferson Public Radio, Medford, OR 6/20/08 (www.ijpr.org)
Email interview for internet media Setor3 (www.setor3.com.br) operated by Senac São Paulo, an education company from Brazil, developing a special series about restorative justice
Interview, Philadelphia Inquirer article on forgiveness by Anndee Hochman 9/22/08
Live call-in radio interview, WILL’s Focus 580 with host David Inge, Urbana, IL. 11/09
Podcast interview on contemplative photography on www.thoughtsonphotography.com (http://paulgiguere.libsyn.com/index.php?post_id=410566)
Interview by Federico Reggio, published in Catholici Studi, Summer (No. 569/70) (Italian), “Diritto, ‘Restorative Justice’ bella & sfuggente”)
Interview published in Copenhagen newspaper

Current exhibits & projects:

Featured artist, Beyond Words: Imaging a Visual Spirituality” retreat (one forum, one keynote, one workshop), Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Laurelville, PA 10/24-26/08.
Review and consultation of forthcoming documentary film, “Steel, Concrete, and Paint,” Mural Arts Program, Philadelphia, PA.
Remarks, book release and exhibit opening: Visual Restoration,” Mural Arts Program, Philadelphia, PA 4/17/09
When a Parent is in Prison: Documentary photo exhibit, with Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz, available for loan from Mennonite Central Committee’s Audiovisual Resource Library. A book is in process.
A ladder without rungs: exploring metaphors of trauma. Art exhibit including photos, paintings and reflections, with Judah Oudshoorn and Manas Ghanem, Eastern Mennonite University Art Gallery, 11/05. Also exhibited in Ontario, Canada March-April 2006 and Bluffton University, Bluffton, OH, Feb-March 2007. A smaller traveling version is available for loan from Mennonite Central Committee.

Research Associate, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand; Victims’ Advisory Group, U.S. Sentencing Commission (Appointed May 2008); Reference Board, American Humane Association youth justice project; Reference Board, Restorative Justice Centre, Pretoria, South Africa; Associate Editorial Board, Contemporary Justice Review; Circle of Peers, Georgia Council for Restorative Justice; Community Liaison Committee, Human Dignity and Humiliation Studies; Editorial Advisory Board, Crime Victims Report;

Recent awards:
International Peace Award 2006, Community of Christ; Lifetime Achievement Award
Journal of Law and Religion, 2006
The Howard Zehr Award (first annual award)
Restorative Justice Association of Virginia, 2005
Annual Peacebuilder Award, New York Dispute Resolution Association, 2003
Restorative Justice Prize, Prison Fellowship International, 2003.

Current grant: Annie E. Casey Foundation grant for “When a Parent is in Prison” project.

Member: National Center for Victims of Crime; Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences; Victim Offender Mediation Association; Justice Studies Association.