The Centre had the pleasure of meeting Saray Grably at the Sixth International Conference on Restorative Justice, and the Pre-Conference Training Institute on Peacemaking Circles.  We enjoyed her company while she was here, and learned from her experiences and practice in a country with military unrest.  She graced us with this story about her practice since she returned to Israel; we are pleased to keep in touch with her and learn of her experiences there with youth who have been raised with unrest as a part of their lives.

  We are grateful for her contributions to the Centre for Restorative Justice, and this website.


The following RJ story could have happened anywhere.  It is sent to you from Israel.
By Saray Grably - Restorative justice unit at the youth probation service.

"TOTAL LOSS"

The '91 Subaru Gesty was stolen and completely burnt out; there was no insurance.

The criminal conflict

A 23 year old young girl and a 17 year old young boy were strangers to one another.  They both lived in the same area and both loved to drive cars.  She saved her money to buy her first car, the '91 Subaru Gesty.  This was a dream come true for her. She was independent, working and studying to build a life.  Two months later her car was stolen and completely burnt.

Her car didn't have full insurance, which meant she didn't have any chance of getting her money back, or replacing her car.

Two young boys now stood trial for the crime at the youth court.

This case was referred to a restorative justice process by the probation officer, in an attempt to restore the harm that was done for all those concerned.  The first boy refused to participate.

The other one consulted his public defender and took his advice, choosing to meet with the victim.

It was the first boy who stole the car and drove it until it was stuck in the January mud.  The other boy was a "car expert" who came to help his friend to take the car out of the mud.  The car didn't move, so the first boy lighted the driver's seat.  Soon the car was completely on fire.  The car was a total loss.  For many days the young girl and her parents looked for the car, hoping to find it nearby.  Instead they got a call from the police and a bill to pay from the fire department.

The harm was done to all participants

She lost her car but her dream was lost too. Without the car, she was forced to leave her night job at the disco club.  She also needed to search for another job which was during the day and near her home.  She was left angry, frustrated, and all alone.  Her parents could not do much to help her.

The young boy stood trial for the first time in his life.  His future was bound to be shaded by a criminal record.  His parents too could not do much to help him.  The trial day was coming soon.  It was fast becoming a total loss and a dead end situation.

The restoring process

Only one of the two boys in this case took the risk to participate in the restorative process.  His mother consulted with the public defender about the possibilities.

Trying to right the wrong seemed reasonable to them.

Before the youth court made a final decision in this case, the restorative justice unit considered the future of the young boy.  As I went through preparation stage with each of them separately, the possibilities of the process opened up their minds and gave them options.  They all realized that this was an ideal way to solve the situation.  On 24th August 2003, the young boy with his mother and the young girl with her father came to my office.  After my opening statement, she spoke her story.

"Why me?" she asked him.
"Why did you light the fire in the car instead of just leaving it there?" her father asked.

The young boy listened to them.  "I am sorry I burnt your dream" he said to them.  Other details of this act were also meaningful to them: she did not lose the car keys that day, but she had accidentally left the keys in the car door … this is how the boys stole the car so easily.

They agreed to pay restitution: half the value of the car.  This was what the insurance company would've paid.  The young boy will have to work and save the money to pay her.  She will get her money back in seven monthly payments: $7,200 Israel, about $2,200 Canadian. The youth court will consider this in its sentencing.

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