Fulfilling Restorative Justice Efforts: A Model Supporting Capacity Building

By Dr. Clifton Underwood

The experiences attained for this study emerged over a thirty-year culmination of law enforcement assignments conventionalized through experiences. In retrospect, such unique opportunities being readily available were phenomenal for research by affording the ability to track individual attitudes of criminals over extended periods of time. Without realizing the impact of creating a longitudinal research study, these opportunities would become facts that would later yield valuable experiences to collaborate with educational and organization knowledge advancements enclosed in this book. The concept of fulfilling restorative justice goals derived from a juvenile justice intervention program that I implemented for a major city to reduce recidivism and assist in getting juveniles back on track. The program outcome was outstanding, but I was unable to explain, just as many others, how the change in behaviors were accomplished. This book indicates an empirical process, established as a model to explain behavioral change as established in restorative justice practices.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781514413722

Dr. Clifton Underwood

Dr. Clifton Underwood served as an adjunct professor of criminal social justice at Lewis University, in Romeoville, Illinois, holds a BS in criminal social justice, MS in criminal social justice, and EdD in organizational leadership. Retired from the Chicago Police Department after ten years in patrol, various detective positions, including program coordinators for two of the larger youth programs for the last ten years of service. Current chairman of the board of directors for the South Side Jazz Coalition of Chicago, former chairman of the Board for the South Shore Drill Team, where both organizations promote literacy and community awareness to juveniles.

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Copyright © 2015 by Dr. Clifton Underwood.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2015916289

ISBN:   Hardcover    978-1-5144-1374-6

             Softcover     978-1-5144-1373-9

            eBook           978-1-5144-1372-2

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 10/09/2015

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CONTENTS

List of Tables

Preface

Acknowledgments

Abstract

Chapter One

Introduction

Problem Background

Statement of the Problem

Need for the Study

Purpose of the Study

Research Questions

Theoretical Foundation

Theory of Reasoned Action

Theory of Planned Behavior

Subjective Norming Due to Persuasion and Dissonance

Definition of Terms

Significance of the Study

Summary

Chapter Two: Review Of The Literature

Youth Courts

Balanced and Restorative Justice in Practice

Organizational Leadership

Organizational Structure and Empowerment

Capacity Building

Approaches to Capacity Building

McKinsey Capacity Assessment Framework

Capacity Building and Youth Courts

Necessary Elements for Youth Courts to Incorporate

Summary

Chapter Three: Methodology

Research Design

Subjects

Instrumentation and Procedures

Round 1

Round 2

Round 3

Methodological Assumptions, Limitations, and Delimitations

Methodological Assumptions

Limitations

Delimitations

Chapter Four: Results

Summary of Design

Experts

Results for Round 1

Results for Round 2

Table 3

Results for Round 3

Overall Results for the Research Questions

Summary

Chapter Five: Discussion, Conclusions, and Recommendations

Discussion

Summary of the Study

Interpretation of the Findings

General Attitude

Perceived Behavioral Control

Subjective Norming Attitude

Subjective Norming Intent

Conclusions

General Attitude

Perceived Behavioral Control

Subjective Norming Attitude

Subjective Norming Intent

Implications for Practice

Recommendations for Further Research

Summary

References

For my son, Clifton; my mother, Odessa; and family and friends who support me

List of Tables

Preface

The experiences attained for this study emerged over a thirty-year culmination of law enforcement assignments conventionalized by the author. In retrospect, such unique opportunities being readily available were phenomenal for research by affording the ability to track individual attitudes over extended periods. Without realizing the impact of creating a longitudinal research study, these opportunities would become facts that would later yield valuable experiences to collaborate with educational and organizational knowledge advancements sought in the future.

During the early segments of my law enforcement career, there were numerous opportunities to learn how behavioral patterns form. This knowledge is valuable, for many criminals following routine patterns often reveal recurring intents, which subsequently forecasts the probability of what the individual would do. This is especially prevalent with juveniles who lack the knowledge of innovation in their criminal endeavors. Their persistent engagement in certain crimes that are accomplished without being arrested intensifies to confidence, which usually leads to a well-structured sequence of destruction.

One such incident involved a juvenile who exhibited fluent negative patterns of behavior that I referred to as viral behavior. Warnings were given but unaccepted by the youth and parent, which resulted in the ultimate sacrifice exactly one week later. My premonition was accurate when the youth was killed in an area where he frequently committed crimes. This was the one incident that motivated a notion to explore deeper into the attitudes of youths. Just the mere thought that these young individuals would allow themselves to remain in harm’s way with no regard for their personal safety was alarming. These types of violent acts were so frequent and carelessly pursued that a definitive fact was established that most criminally involved youth attitudes toward life was totally negative.

In an effort to learn more of this subject, when possible during interviews, youths were asked one question about their attitude of dying. The responses were astounding! Speaking to nearly sixty youths over a two-month period, all with the exception of three stated that they were not afraid to die. It should be noted that the author is aware of juvenile rights and provisions that prohibit a minor from being questioned about certain criminal activities or issues that may incriminate him or her is prohibited. Although approval for the question was granted by the youths and parents, the subject matter was limited to social issues that had no bearing on their current or past situations while in custody. As a law enforcement official, it is common to make suggestions to people in general that may prevent loss of life or create an atmosphere to change an individual’s attitude in an effort to assist in directing them back on track.

Life was good as a single father raising a five-year-old son. Being the police provided more knowledge of the dangers and safety issues needed to raise a child in a world full of violence. The knowledge and experiences of the streets of Chicago offered an opportunity to avoid many obstacles that many parents were not afforded. Being a hands-on father and managing an African American male through elementary, high school, and the predominance of college was huge. Life as it was known quickly changed when the very subject that I had articulated to other families hit home.

On January 9, 2003, my child was killed by a random bullet while home for the Christmas break from college. Although there were numerous witnesses present, police declared that the case could not be solved because no one wanted to get involved. I knew better, for I was a seasoned homicide detective with one of the best police departments in the world, the Chicago Police Department. The investigation by the assigned detectives concluded in less than a month that the circumstances were very convoluted, and the few witnesses located offered little or no positive leads. This was the most disgusting response that a parent could ever receive. Subconsciously, I knew better, for there were numerous homicide cases that were declared cold cases, still pending after decades. Following my instincts and training as a homicide detective, I knew that more investigation was mandatory. I was forced to investigate my own child’s murder on my own time, for there were no signs of serenity without this knowledge. I learned the identity and an abundance of information about the offender over a three-week term. Moreover, nearly ten new witnesses were located and referred to the assigned detectives for interviews. At the conclusion of this personal effort, I learned of a glitch in the justice system. It was determined that the case was still not strong enough to pursue charges against the offender based on several witnesses having criminal backgrounds. The distraught feeling of helping others for so many years left a huge void in my life, especially knowing that not even my colleagues could help me now.

Following the results of this incident, my self-esteem was lowered to the lowest state known. I began to see how others felt—that retaliation was the only course of action for resolve. It didn’t take long to erase this thought from my mind, for I am a Christian and grossly educated with law, academic experiences, and expertise. Simply stated, to retaliate would transform me into the same status as the perpetrator, which would be equally wrong. As I sat in solitude, I reminisced about a thought that my deceased grandmother had told me when I was a child. She said, "When you have exhausted all attempts, pray." Following her instructions, I was astounded how life rapidly reversed to a somewhat stable level again.

Two weeks later, I was contacted by an administrator from my employer with a proposition to change positions. The position of coordinator for the Chicago Police Department’s We Care Role Model Program and the reconstructing of a defunct youth court program was the agenda. This was not expected, but it well appreciated to bring my life back as close to normal under these circumstances. With a new outlook on life, I dedicated the extent of my career to create burgeoning youth programs to a city that desperately warranted assistance. The highlight of developing the youth courts was the experience sought to create the change in youths that I have always desired.

As the new coordinator of the listed youth programs, I was afforded the opportunity to attend balanced and restorative justice meetings offered by a collaborative of Cook County courts and local criminal justice partners. The general concept of restorative justice offered enough direction to search deeper for more innovative solutions in the juvenile justice arena. First on my agenda was to address the punitive responses to juvenile behavior, especially in school-related incidents. Focusing on the deprivation of youths not being in school or staying home unattended created new issues, which proved noneffective in response to juvenile behavioral issues. Vigorous