The Bail Boys Court: Conflict Transformation and Restorative Justice in Trinidad

Abstract

Restorative justice can and should, but does not always, produce conflict transformation. This article presents qualitative research on an experimental restorative justice project which demonstrates transformations in the lives of gang youths charged with very serious offences, and transformations in the practices of the criminal justice system. The paper situates the gendered cultural context, outlines a critical transformation framework and methodology, and summarises the transformations of the Bail Boys project at the San Fernando Supreme Court, in Trinidad, between 2009 and 2012. Research application in development, criminal justice, youth justice, masculinities and gang crime are outlined.