A Justice That Heals

This one hour documentary explores the aftermath of a senseless murder of a 19-year-old young man named Andrew Young by 18-year-old Mario Ramos. It centers on Mario’s parish priest, Fr. Bob Oldershaw, as he confronted the reality that this terrible act was committed by a member of his church, and further, that the family of the victim lived in the very neighbourhood of the church.  

Moving between interviews with Mario, his parents, Andrew’s family and the priest, the documentary describes their individual, and eventually common, journeys to find a form of justice that heals. It tells the story of Fr. Oldershaw’s courageous efforts to reach out in compassion to the victim’s family as well as to the offender and his family, and of what came from that effort. 

This is not a documentary explicitly about restorative justice. There was no facilitator assisting Fr. Oldershaw and the others through the remarkable steps they took. The term is never used. Nevertheless, what took place was truly restorative. As the priest and parish embraced the families of both young men, and as they showed active compassion for Mario, something that could have divided the community was instead followed by reconciliation. 

At Mario’s sentencing hearing, Fr. Oldershaw sat between Mario’s mother and Andrew’s father, supporting both as each contemplated the loss of their sons (Mario was sentenced to 40 years’ imprisonment). When given the opportunity to speak to the judge, he said, “I am here because of two families and two sons. The Ramos family are members of my parish. The Young family are members of my community. Even as I grieve the loss of Andrew Young, I firmly believe that Mario Ramos’ life need not be lost, it can be saved, it is being saved.” 

Several months after the sentencing, Andrews’s mother decided that she wanted to speak with Mario. She explains to the interviewer, “I began to understand a little more about what justice is. The right thing to do is to love someone and to forgive them, but to have consequences to bring them to a turning point in their life so they can be restored – loving punishment.” 

So Maureen Young, Fr. Oldershaw and another parishioner travelled to Mario’s penitentiary to meet with him. Each describes what they experienced, using language and images that will be familiar to those who have witnessed victims and offenders in restorative dialogue.  

There is helpful resource material about the documentary on a website dedicated to providing the media with information about prisoner re-entry in the US. It includes producer's notes by Shefsky and resource guides for adults and young people.  

“A Justice That Heals” could easily launch group conversation about the meaning of justice. That discussion could naturally lead to a presentation on restorative justice. 

Daniel W. Van Ness
April 2004