Radical Hospitality

On March 4th an unprecedented conference was held at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. This conference was titled "Hope for Restoration: Radical Hospitality and Prison Reform." It was unprecedented because it was organized by prisoners who are currently incarcerated. One might think that a conference that was organized by prisoners who couldn't even attend might draw a small crowd, but this conference was "sold out" (it was free, but seats were limited) with over 300 attendees, including at least one Michigan lawmaker. Though I was not one of the organizers, I had the privilege of participating in a video pre-recorded by Calvin Prison Initiative students for the conference, and I helped to produce the program for the conference that explained how restorative justice is a radical expression of hospitality. So, what exactly is "radical hospitality," and what does it have to do with restorative justice? If hospitality is defined as a "generosity of spirit," then radical hospitality is an extreme generosity of spirit that is contrary to social expectations. What is more extreme and unexpected than to take a restorative rather than retributive approach to justice? What is more extreme and unexpected than to focus on healing the harms of crime rather than just punishing the offender? What is more extreme and unexpected than to help those who have harmed others heal those harms and to offer an opportunity for restoration? Crime harms people, but too often the justice system is solely focused on punishing the violation of a state (or federal) law rather than addressing the harms done to the victim, to the community, and (perhaps surprisingly) to the offender. Radical hospitality seeks to heal the real harms caused through crime by restoring victims, as much as possible, to wholeness, by addressing the harms done to communities, and by transforming offenders through accountability and offering opportunities for restoration to their communities. Over the next several posts, I will explain how victims, communities, and offenders can all participate in a radical expression of hospitality through restorative practices. Ultimately, the goal of restorative justice is to encourage peace within communities by healing the wounds of injustice through effective communication and accountability and by offering hope for restoration. As an offender, I want nothing more than to help heal the wounds of injustice that I have caused. This, too, is a deep longing in the hearts of many of the men with whom I am incarcerated. We can't do this alone though. We need the help of free people who have hearts for healing and restoration. Does this describe you? (To read more about the recent restorative justice conference, go to www.SaintBenedictInstitute.org)