In this book the author tells stories that show that forgiveness is not condoning or forgetting, or failing to set limits. Forgiveness is recognizing and acknowledging all that was wrong, but refusing to be destroyed by it, and refusing to be drawn into a cycle of hatred and bitterness. The author believes that we can change the criminal justice system to include transformative justice. In the first part she describes the features of transformative justice. In the second part of the book she explains the process of transformative justice, by giving also the example of circle sentencing. In part three, she launches challenges in transformation: the transformation of the penal system, and transforming the distributive justice system. Finally she draws some concluding challenges for the future.

Source: Vanspauwen, K., Robert, L., Aertsen, I., Parmentier, S. (2003), Restorative Justice and Restorative Detention. A selected and annotated bibliography. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid, Onderzoeksgroep Penologie en Victimologie.