In Challenges, speakers from the Nova Campfire, “Beyond Blame and Retribution,” reimagine the criminal justice system considering a planetary health framework and emerging science. Authors include Nova Fellow Alan C. Logan, Scholar Susan Prescott, and Nova Campfire panelists Colleen Berryessa, John Callender, Gregg Caruso, Fiona Hagenbeek, and Pragya Mishra.
Authors point out that the criminal justice system—rooted in outdated ideas of willpower and punishment—stands in stark contrast to the planetary health movement, which emphasizes justice, equity, and evidence-based policy. They argue that despite its broad commitment to fairness and the significant injustices repeatedly brought to light, the planetary health movement has largely ignored the criminal justice system. By weaving cutting-edge science with evidence-based rehabilitative models, authors suggest alternatives to current retributive systems and seek to spark deeper inquiry into how the criminal justice system can be transformed to promote true justice and collective well-being.
