The UQ Social Work and Social Policy Alumni and Associates will be discussing the issue of bringing healing into the justice system in their next breakfast forum on March 13 at Brisbane’s Customs House.
Respected indigenous social worker, Noritta Morseu-Diop, who is currently doing her doctoral studies on healing mechanisms within the indigenous justice system will present this talk to a group of workers from the criminal justice system, as well as interested members of the public.
“We need to see prisoners as people who have made mistakes, so that we can start to bring some humanity back into the justice system” said Ms Morseu Diop.
She will be talking about her research in this issue and in particular share insights from international programs, which seek to integrate healing mechanisms in dealing with indigenous prisoners.
“The Maori and Canadian Indian systems in particular are starting to teach people about respect and to use culture as an integral part of the rehabilitation process.”
The most important question underpinning this issue, Ms Diop said, is whether we want to develop constructive citizens or destructive ones during their period of incarceration.
“By creating mechanisms of healing and hope we can create a change in the justice system that rehabilitates rather than destroys people so that they leave the system as more constructive citizens.”
Bookings for the forum are essential.
Media: For more information, contact Anne-Marie Butler, President of the Social Work and Social Policy Alumni Association (telephone 07 3213 9216, mobile 0409 057 905) or the UQ Development Office (telephone 07 3346 3910).
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