Declaring the Third Week of Every November as "Restorative Justice Week" in the City of Philadelphia in Honor of the International Campaign "International Restorative Justice Week".

Declaring the Third Week of Every November as "Restorative Justice Week" in the City of Philadelphia in Honor of the International Campaign “International Restorative Justice Week”. WHEREAS, Restorative Justice Week originated in 1975 in England as "Prisoner’s Sunday," evolving into "Prisoner’s Week" and later being expanded in 1996 by Canada into "Restorative Justice Week." Today, the International Restorative Justice Week is celebrated globally, with the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) actively promoting initiatives since 2000 that honor this legacy and foster community connections; and WHEREAS, Each year, the third week of November is designated as Restorative Justice Week, an international campaign where organizations raise awareness about restorative justice. The 2024 theme, “The Promise of Restorative Justice in a Polarizing World,” emphasizes the role of restorative justice in fostering dialogue and understanding, with events scheduled from November 17 to 23; and WHEREAS, According to the Philadelphia Prison Population Piktochart report, as of September 2024, the City of Philadelphia’s prison population stands at roughly 4,800 individuals, with 20% of those incarcerated being children from the 7th Council District, and 30% of the incarcerated child population also in foster care; and WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Department of Prisons Monitor’s Reports indicate that a lack of appropriate alternative housing for individuals experiencing mental illness has led …