Jorge Ollero Perán

I am lecturer of Philosophy of Law in the University of Granada, Spain. For three years, I was the Director of the Penal Enforcement and Restorative Justice Service of the Government of Navarra. As manager of this Service, I promoted the first Spanish Regional Law on restorative justice and restorative practices. In the past, I have coordinated restorative justice projects inside prison and in civil society organisations, and implemented European projects regarding prisons, drug policy and restorative justice. I obtained a BA in Law in the University of Granada (Spain) and completed my education with an MA in Social and Political Thought at Sussex University (UK) and a Restorative Justice Expertise in the University of Seville (Spain). As a researcher I have published numerous articles on the relation of restorative justice with abolitionism, ecology, alternatives to imprisonment and drug policy. Recently, I have published the book Penalismo Mágico (Magical Penalism) to challenge the belief that punishment will solve all our social and political problems. I have been a Board member since 2022.

I believe it is undeniable that we live in very difficult times, where the foundations of the world as we knew it are being called into question. Multiple events herald the end of an era: from the genocide in Gaza to the war in Iran, from the rise of the global far right to polarizing racism, from the climate crisis to the exhaustion of a predatory economic model. These difficult times may bear some resemblance to the 1970s, when the oil crisis led to an economic crisis and the subsequent victory of neoliberal policies of social cuts worldwide. It was in that tumultuous period that the restorative justice movement began to take shape: faced with a world in crisis, bold thinkers and community activists sharpened their wits and devised new ways to address social problems. The idea was simple: faced with violence and exclusion, we must not respond with more violence and polarization, but with a deeper understanding and a greater awareness of our interdependence. I want the EFRJ to be one of the seeds sown over the next four years so that the world of the next 50 years is not a dark and desolate place, but a world where all lives flourish. I believe that restorative justice is part of the path to realizing the human rights of all people. In restorative justice, we see the generosity and resilience of victims of crime, who have managed to overcome hatred, and the transformative capacity of those who have caused harm and who, despite this, can become agents of genuine restoration. These are shining examples for a world in crisis. I believe that the restorative justice approach should continue to be applied in multiple areas, but we must also remember that fighting for a better criminal justice system is a way of fighting for a better world.

My focus will continue to be on improving criminal justice policies and demonstrating how restorative justice is an exceptional way to address the many challenges facing our justice systems and societies. Furthermore, as an academic, I believe I will share new insights through articles and lectures on the virtues of restorative justice. I hope to effectively communicate to policymakers and citizens that restorative justice can introduce emotional, ethical, and political dimensions into dialogues about the meaning of difficult or traumatic events. In this way, I hope to contribute to the growth of a movement that aspires to preserve what makes us human: conversation among equals and shared emotion.

I believe Jorge has a solid track record as a researcher and promoter of restorative justice. I have had the opportunity to witness firsthand his work as a public policy manager in Navarre, where he has demonstrated a tremendous commitment to building a high-quality restorative justice public service. I have also seen Jorge in action at conferences, talks, and seminars, where he consistently disseminates innovative perspectives with great social awareness. I believe Jorge's contribution to the world of restorative justice is undeniable, and a second term will surely serve to further his vision of a society with less punishment, violence, and polarization.

It has been a pleasure working with Jorge on the EFRJ Board these past four years. His joy, enthusiasm, and camaraderie have strengthened the organization and the restorative justice movement as a whole. Whether in organizational tasks or writing articles about the Forum's work, Jorge is adept at presenting innovative ideas and conveying his passion for this approach to justice. Furthermore, I believe Jorge brings a balanced vision of where restorative justice should be headed, maintaining a primary focus on criminal justice policy reform while also addressing other areas of development. I couldn't imagine a better candidate to strengthen the EFRJ in the face of the challenges this complex field presents.

Email: jorgeollero@gmail.com

Organisation, job title: University of Granada, Lecturer of Philosophy of Law