Attorney Jon Powell is a law professor at Campbell University in North Carolina and serves as the director of the Restorative Justice Clinic which receives referrals from the juvenile justice system, adult criminal court and Wake County schools. The clinic involves law students in all aspects of restorative justice which includes victim-offender dialogue in school and court cases, as well as victim impact work through restorative circles in the prisons. Prior to working at Campbell University and the Restorative Justice Clinic, Jon practiced law in Wake and Harnett Counties. Jon’s primary focus was in criminal defense, he received his law degree from Campbell University in 1988. Prior to attending law school, Jon worked for Carolina Power and Light Company during which he received his bachelor of arts in communication from North Carolina state. 

 

In this episode Dr. Gaye Lang and Jon Powell discuss:

• Restorative justice in law and the difference of law and justice 
• The fault of zero-tolerance policies in schools
• Factors that contribute to inequality 
• Restorative justice and retributive justice

 

Key Takeaways: 

• Law and justice are different from each other. The law does not necessarily bring about justice. 
• We come closer to equality whenever privileged groups realize any inherent bias, especially the people in authority - like teachers and officers and admit that they must grow out of those biases. 
• There’s nothing wrong with making an error as long as you apologize and move on. 
• Punishment is the goal of retributive justice while healing is the goal of restorative justice. 

 

“Our legal system[retributive justice] is designed that we don’t admit wrongdoing. Restorative justice is designed that we can create a safe space that people can come into and we can admit when we’re wrong without fear of punishment.- Jon Powell

 

Connect with Jon Powell:

Email: [email protected]

 

Connect with Dr. Gaye Lang:

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KEY WORDS: 

Diversity, inclusion, equity, tolerance, racism, bias, implicit bias, and explicit bias.  

Show notes by Podcastologist: Justine Talla

 

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