Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Beginning with the Larger Social System: Mindfulness and Restorative Justice

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Cultivating Mindfulness in Clinical Social Work

Part of the book series: Essential Clinical Social Work Series ((ECSWS))

  • 1022 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter examines the role of mindfulness within restorative justice practices. Restorative justice values the importance of addressing both inter and intrapersonal conflict and pain within a healing or restorative framework. Mindfulness practices emphasize staying with or being with ‘what is’ and experiencing the present moment without averting attention from difficult emotions or dialogue. Although many exceptional circle keepers/facilitators may intuitively or purposefully incorporate mindfulness practices, there has been a notable absence of research about the formal integration of the two practices. The example and suggestions in this chapter provide a framework for that integration.

Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.

Benjamin Franklin

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 139.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arrien, A. (1993). The four fold way. New York: HarperCollins.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blair, C., & Raver, C. C. (2012). Child development in the context of adversity. American Psychologist, 67(4), 309–319.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brooks, D. (2015, May 22). Building spiritual capital. The New York Times. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/22/opinion/david-brooks-building-spiritual-capital.html.

  • Daly, K., & Immarigeon, R. (1998). The past, present, and future of restorative justice: Some critical reflections. Contemporary Justice Review, 1(1), 21–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fortune, D., Thompson, J., Pedlar, A., & Yuen, F. (2010). Social justice and women leaving prison: Beyond punishment and exclusion. Contemporary Justice Review, 13(1), 19–33.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Germer, C. (2013). Mindfulness: What is it? What does it matter? In C. K. Germer, R. D. Siegel, & P. Fulton (Eds.), Mindfulness and psychotherapy (2nd ed., p. 3–35). New York: Guilford Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gethin, R. (2001). On some definitions of mindfulness. Contemporary Buddhism, 12(1), 263–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gilbert, M. J. (2010). Approved protocols: Restorative justice San Antonio pilot project. UTSA, Office of Community and Restorative Justice. Retrieved on March 10, 2012 http://copp.utsa.edu/assets/uploads/centers_and_institutes/Protocol_Final_Approved_-_Modified_2.pdf.

  • Goleman, D. (2013). Primal leadership: Unleashing the power of emotional intelligence. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Review Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Himelstein, S., Hastings, A., Shapiro, S., & Heery, M. (2012). Mindfulness training for self-regulation and stress with incarcerated youth. Probation Journal, 59(2), 151–165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hurley, M. (2009). Restorative practices in institutional settings and at release: Victim wrap around programs. Federal Probation, 73(1), 16–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full catastrophe living: Using the wisdom of your body and mind to face stress, pain, and illness. New York: Bantom Dell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (1994). Mindfulness meditation for everyday life. New York: Hyperion.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kabat-Zinn, J. (2011). Some reflections on the origins of MBSR, skillful means, and the trouble with maps. Contemporary Buddhism, 12(1), 281–306.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitchen, S. E. (2013). Restoring the professor and the students: A circle process and contemplative practices in a restorative justice seminar. Contemporary Justice Review, 16(1), 28–42. doi:10.1080/10282580.2013.769307.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Latimer, J., Dowden, C., & Muise, D. (2005). The effectiveness of restorative justice practices: A meta-analysis. The Prison Journal, 85(2), 127–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maruna, S., & LeBel, T. P. (2010). The desistance paradigm in correctional practice. In F. McNeill, P. Raynor, & C. Trotter (Eds.), Offender supervision: New directions in theory research and practice. Cullompton: Willan.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mawby, R. C., & Worrall, A. (2011). “They were very threatening about do-gooding bastards”: Probation’s changing relationships with the police and prison services in England and Wales. European Journal of Probation, 3(3), 78–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, J. F., Paul, R. C., & Grant, D. R. (2009). Peacekeepers turned peacemakers: Police as mediators. Contemporary Justice Review, 12(3), 331–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pollak, S., Pedulla, T., & Siegel, R. (2014). Sitting together: Essential skills for mindfulness-based psychotherapy. NY: Guilford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pranis, K. (2005). The little book of circle process. Intercourse, PA: Good Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Raynor, P., & Robinson, G. (2009). Why help offenders? Arguments for rehabilitation as a penal strategy. European Journal of Probation, 1(1), 3–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwalbe, C. S., & Maschi, T. (2009). Investigating probation strategies with juvenile offenders: The influence of officers’ attitudes and youth characteristics. Law and Human Behavior, 33(5), 357–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, S. (2005). Life skills project. Journal of Correctional Education, 56(2), 115–123.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwartz, S., Hennessey, M., & Levitas, L. (2003). Restorative justice and the transformation of jails: An urban sheriff’s case study in reducing violence. Police Practice & Research, 4(4), 399–410.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, D. J. (2001). Toward an interpersonal neurobiology of the developing mind: Attachment relationships, “mindsight”, and neural integration. Infant Mental Health Journal, 22(1–2), 67–94.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, D. J. (2006, April/May). An interpersonal neurobiology approach to psychotherapy: Awareness, mirror neurons, and neural plasticity in the development of well-being. Psychiatric Annals.

    Google Scholar 

  • Siegel, D. J. (2007). Reflection on the mindful brain: A brief overview: Adapted from the mindful brain: Reflection and attunement in the cultivation of well-being. New York: WW Norton.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teasdale, J., & Chaskalson, M. (2011). How does mindfulness transform suffering? II: The transformation of dukkha. Contemporary Buddhism, 12(1), 103–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Umbreit, M. S., Coates, R. B., & Vos, B. (2007). Restorative justice dialogue: A multi-dimensional, evidence-based practice theory. Contemporary Justice Review, 10(1), 23–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Walker, L., & Greening, R. (2010). Huikahi restorative circles: A public health approach for reentry planning. Federal Probation, 74(1), 43–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolf, P. R., & Rickard, J. A. (2003). Talking circles: A Native American approach to experiential learning. Journal of Multicultural Counseling & Development, 31(1), 39–43.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zehr, H., & Mika, H. (1998). Fundamental concepts of restorative justice. Contemporary Justice Review, 1(1), 49–55.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social Work, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Connie Sheehan

Authors
  1. Connie Sheehan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Connie Sheehan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Social Work, Loyola University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA

    Terry B. Northcut

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Sheehan, C. (2017). Beginning with the Larger Social System: Mindfulness and Restorative Justice. In: Northcut, T. (eds) Cultivating Mindfulness in Clinical Social Work. Essential Clinical Social Work Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43842-9_11

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43842-9_11

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-43840-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-43842-9

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation