SJC Department of Criminal Justice to Host Forgiveness Symposium

October 09, 2013

PATCHOGUE, N.Y. October 10, 2013 The Department of Criminal Justice at St. Josephs College (SJC), in conjunction with Tikkun Long Island, will host a Forgiveness Symposium, an interactive discussion between victims and offenders who came together in the criminal justice system and found peace. The symposium will take place on Tuesday, October 22 from 12:40-1:35 p.m. in the Shea Conference Room located in OConnor Hall on the Colleges Long Island Campus.

Tikkun Long Island believes that restorative justice is a better way to address the needs of victims of crime, perpetrators of crime and the general public than the traditional criminal justice system. The organization works to prevent crime before it happens, provide opportunities for redemption and give victims the chance to forgive.

"Restorative Justice is an emerging philosophy in the criminal justice system. The victim has a more prominent role in meeting and addressing the consequences of the offender, said Barbara Morell, chairperson for the Department of Criminal Justice at SJC. "Forgiveness, which is the central element of this process, can facilitate healing in ways that the traditional criminal justice system does not address. While many question this process, the speakers will demonstrate firsthand the validity and strength of this experience.

Speakers for the event include Dr. Robert Goldman, founder of Tikkun Long Island and supervising psychologist at Suffolk County Jail in Riverhead, N.Y.; Tamara Meyer, producer of How the Light Gets In, a film about the children of Holocaust victims and perpetrators coming together; Sascha Schneider, filmmaker and director of How the Light Gets In; and Thrse Bartholomew, author of Coffee Shop God and director of The Final Gift, a film about her journey from anger to forgiveness.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 631.687.4582 or visit www.sjny.edu.