wfn.org | Restorative justice award presented to California jurist

[PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org]

03-July-1996 
 
GA96078 
 
        Restorative justice award presented to California jurist 
 
ALBUQUERQUE--On Wednesday afternoon, San Bernadino County, Calif., Superior 
Court Justice, Patrick J. Morris was presented the Restorative Justice 
Award. 
 
    The Restorative Justice Award is presented annually to individuals or 
groups who manifest the Presbyterian Church's commitment of "addressing the 
hurts and needs of the victim and the offender in such a way that they and 
the community might be healed." 
 
    Judge Morris truly meets the description. Realizing the ineffectiveness 
of jail terms in dealing with drug addicted individuals, he looked over the 
country to find a system to heal and restore and break the cycle of repeat 
offenders. He adapted the program in use in Florida to meet his particular 
situation. His program of "drug court" providing offenders the opportunity 
of long term rehabilitation and therapy in lieu of prison term has had 
overwhelming success. The success rate is 80 percent. 
 
    As a Presbyterian elder, he has energetically worked within his local 
church to involve the church in an active program of service and support 
for neighborhood youth. Ever searching means of broadening local church's 
service ministry, Morris is investigating possibilities for sending church 
youth to help in the rebuilding of burned churches. 
 
    This caring and committed Presbyterian elder, whose "drug court" 
resembles a church meeting more than a court session, exhibits the true 
meaning of restorative justice. 
 
Emett Barfield 

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