The Theory of Community Justice

O n a hot summer day in Oxnard, California, I 7-year-oldJuli& stole a car and committed a hit and run. Julio’s childhood was not easy—his mom had abandoned him at birth, and Julio had a history of drug and alcohol problems—but this was the first time he was arrested. On that same summer day, Raymond also was getting into trouble. Ray also came from a troubled family—his dad was in jail and his ¡nom was struggling to make things work for Ray and his four siblings. Ray had begun hanging out with some local taggers, and on a dare, he decided to do some “artwork” on a local alley wall. He too was caught and arrested for the first time. When the police department sent their cases to the probation agency for review, sta ff there felt both of these young men were at risk for reoffense because they had additional risk factors other than their crimi