44. Educate and Train Incarcerated Prisoners

WHEREAS government's role is to preserve a just public order, and the community's role is to build and maintain a just peace; and

WHEREAS given that the state spends more than $30,000 a year for each incarcerated person; and

WHEREAS those most directly involved and affected by crime should have the opportunity to participate fully in the response if they wish; and

WHEREAS justice requires that we work to restore those who have been injured; and

WHEREAS lack of education and job skills are correlated with high rates of recidivism among those released from prison; and

WHEREAS access to education and job skills training can provide ex-prisoners with access to stable employment, decreasing the likelihood of recidivism; now

THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED that the Democratic Party supports the establishment of a “Restorative Justice System” whereby parties with a stake in a specific offence resolve collectively in how to deal with the aftermath of the offence and its implications for the future, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the “Restorative Justice System” be used to create opportunities for victims, offenders, and community members to voluntarily meet to discuss the crime and to participate in its resolution, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the “Restorative Justice System” requires that offenders take steps to repair the harm they have caused, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the “Restorative Justice System” works to restore victims and offenders as whole, contributing members of society, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Democratic Party supports the provision of educational programs and job training programs to all persons detained in correctional facilities.