Transformative Justice | Jacob Dunne | TEDxYouth@Bath

Jacob tells us about the transformative effect of Restorative Justice and how it enabled him to change his life.
Jacob Dunne was sentenced to 30 months in custody in November 2011 for manslaughter, after a drunken assault on James Hodgkinson on a night out. Upon release Jacob was approached by James’s parents; this is when Jacob realised he needed to turn his life around.
He met James’s parents during a restorative justice meeting. Jacob now speaks about how his life spiralled out of control and how this meeting brought him back from the brink. In March 2016 James’s parents and Jacob also took part in the ITV programme “Meeting my Enemy” where they discussed the restorative justice meeting.
Jacob now studies criminology at University. He has volunteered and worked across both public and private sectors in the criminal justice sector and the wider community. Jacob and Joan (James’s mum) are setting up a campaign called One Punch to talk about the dangers of a single hit.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@oneiione]

He didnt get a ted talk for killing someone, he got this opportunity to be an example of transformative justice because of the work he did changing himself and the path he took in life. Some comments are saying it’s what he’s supposed to do and doesn’t deserve any congratulations or platform, but I do think it is unfortunately not common for people to come face to face with things they have done wrong especially as bad as murder. You cannot change the past but you can come to terms with it and make changes in the future and that’s what he’s speaking to.

[@untetheredmoon6971]

I had a friend die under these same exact circumstances. The guy who sucker punched him got six years in jail and it still makes me sick to my stomach. I see so many people here saying how big of a scumbag this guys is, but i need to say. If the dude who killed my friend took ANY of these steps towards our friends, or his family i may begin to actually heal from it. So while he made a terrible decision that cost the life of a friend, brother and son, I find it respectable hes putting his story out there to maybe stop anyone who sees it from thinking a sucker punch can be a murder punch.

[@Charlie-vj8op]

Hardly a word for the victim..

[@lovelifelivehappy093]

I met him today at school for a workshop session all day- incredible story very proud he's made choices for himself to improve himself he's a truly strong person inside for having to learn the hard way - though what he did was the wrong choice, he has admitted to his faults and is working with people rather than alone- keep going Jacob you've got the right mind

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

I would have yelled "screw you" at him

[@adamarnold1314]

What about the poor guy he murdered

[@untetheredmoon6971]

@@adamarnold1314 Did you miss the entire point? lol

[@davidstefanovic8610]

Think you may have missed several points. Jacob and his mates had a long history of violence, arson, theft. Punching random people was the norm for this scumbag. Do you have kids that go for nights out? Do you worry about the the thugs they could encounter?

[@zhizhixoxo]

honestly I know it was accidental murder but he did not accidentally go and punch the guy. even an assault would get more time I feel like. it's sad that he took the life of someone forever. I'm sure he deals with that guilt daily and it's nice to see that he's changed but it doesn't take away from the fact that he ended another humans life.

[@anthonycoyne8182]

He may not have accidentally punched him but the last thing you think off is someone actually dying because of it! He will deal with the guilt for the rest of his life and rightly so, but he's changed his life and maybe through the work he is doing now he will be able to save others in the future! He ended someone's life, but we need to recognise the changes he's made and not always take it back to, he killed someone, as that's not something he will ever forget!

Drunken fights like this happen all the time. The victim fell down and hit his head on the floor, which was the cause of his death. It's hard to swallow but the most you can call it is a tragic accident. Is having a fight a crime? I'm not sure.

[@number7743]

Mak3up Lov3r he obviously never meant to murder the guy

[@1989Chrisc]

Joe Gibbs having a fight is most definitely a crime. Look up affray

[@raylevi5343]

@@JM-dp1nl If it was a fight then was it back and forth? If so, it can be argued it was self defence and it could have gone the other way round.

[@vernie_in_hell]

there should have been at least a few minutes dedicated to the person he killed. all he talked about was himself

[@AkhiAnime]

That was proper emotional i dont get teary much but i kinda did then, proper guy who redeemed himself respect man, i wish and pray for goodness in your life you deserve it truly inspirational

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

Don't forget that James Hodgkinson is dead forever

[@davidbell7672]

What a powerful forgiving family no one should judge the parents have accepted that and the guy changed his life because of what he done

[@CSRL8]

I still judge, because unfortunately, James Hodgkinson isn't alive to give his opinion on the matter.

[@franriz9467]

Hong Kong actor Louis Koo, who spent 2 years in jail for robbery, now build more than 100 schools for poor children.

[@KnightoftheLord1]

Jacob Dunne? More like Jacob Dull, WOW that voice could put anyone to sleep.

[@threalkrazyk8852]

This is emotional, it shows you everything can change in an instant.

[@boaks27]

Decriminalizing crime, because it worked out so well at Stoneman Douglas High School ( Parkland, Fl, Nicolas Cruz).

[@suminshizzles6951]

This is UK justice we are talking about here. 14 months for a murder. A fuckign joke.

[@frankstared]

"Quick to judge, quick to anger, and slow to understand. Ignorance and prejudice and fear walk hand in hand." -N.Peart

[@preciouskeneema384]

I was really sad to hear that his mum passed away and couldn't get over this but it's almost poetic the relationship he has developed with the victim's parents. Though they lost their son, they've gained a son in Jacob and though Jacob has lost his mum, he's kind of gained parents in them.

[@rachelurbach4579]

yes - it isn't the first time this sort of relationship happens as a result of Restorative Justice. Famous case in US. Amazing

[@yashsingh5563]

Yeah it's great he killed the guy and then replaced his life! Very cool

[@psygodnp]

forgiveness is key. This man has a lot to give to the world.

[@CSRL8]

Yes, his life

[@jenniferjackson1268]

He could start by offing himself. Then his family can feel the same thing.

[@thekoupekid]

The dude went and partied after the punch... Went on vacation after and probably was bragging to friends about it until he found out what happened a month later.. No sympathy.

[@April11lily]

One decision doesn’t define you. The selfish mentality of youth has been redeemed by his realisation that he was nit the victim. He was the aggressor. He has realised he made a mistake and tried to help others change. Well done lad for choosing a different path.

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

Are you seriously going to praise a killer for not becoming a serial killer?

[@April11lily]

@@comictemplatestudios4378 As if someone like this lad would have become a serial killer. Don't be so obtuse.

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

@@April11lily well then, what is this path you say he chose not to take?

[@April11lily]

@@comictemplatestudios4378 Feeling like he was the victim. Originally he was angry that he was in prison for something that he felt was not his fault. He realised it was his fault and that the person he killed was the victim. Did you watch the video at all?

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

@@April11lily I watched the video I just misunderstood your comment. I still don't like this guy but if you want to then I won't stop you.

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

Jacob Dunne, a man who killed someone, was forgiven and then inspired to do what he should do. Then, for doing what he is supposed to do, he is now considered a role model by many. Despite the fact James Hodgkinson's entire life, his entire future is gone. His career as a paramedic is gone. His chance at getting married is gone. His chance at having children and raising a family and passing on the love of his parents is gone. His chance of saving many lives is gone. People shouldn't be looking up to Jacob Dunne because he reformed himself. Sure, it's good he didn't spiral down a dark path, but he shouldn't be praised for not swirling down a dark path. People should be admiring the great things James Hodgkinson did in his life. Like his career as a paramedic. I get that the victim's family would want to forgive Jacob Dunne for what he did, but it gets to a point where enough is enough you know. It's one thing to forgive your child's killer, it's one thing to help them reform, but to become friends with that killer is a bit too far and to be proud of your child's killer is also relatively far. I won't judge them too much for that second to last bit because it's their choice who they want to be friends with. But for all the people who look up to Jacob Dunne, remember this, James Hodgkinson is dead, his entire life, is gone and he is no longer breathing, meanwhile Jacob Dunne (James Hodgkinson's killer) is famous and considered a role model by many.

[@user-im5pc8ej1l]

To be honest i do agree with you but the reason why he got to get the ted talk and all the other stuff was because you barely see murderers do stuff like this once they get out; they dont look for forgivness etc but Jacob did which is a good thing of what he done but you are right he shouldnt be this much of a role model since hes taken a life

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

@@user-im5pc8ej1l true true

[@x-latetv-x6816]

@@comictemplatestudios4378 people can choose to see him whatever way they want

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

@@x-latetv-x6816 ok well doesn't change the fact he killed someone and doesn't deserve the praise he is given

[@x-latetv-x6816]

@@comictemplatestudios4378 different people will see it a different way, you don't hold the only interpretation on this

[@Ignatiusussy]

The parents of the victim could very well hate Jacob and it would be completely justified, but they chose to help him. I strive to be such a person that can face another that hurt them without prejudice and only then judge if they are a bad person or just a good person led astray

[@mispolarny777]

Thank you Franki for telling us to watch this video. I found it very interesting.

[@Bigmiss2008]

I am sad because he didn't really have a life after he came out of prison. I am also angry because of whet he did.

[@R.S_Howell]

What he did was wrong, one hundred percent. But what is important, is to see the bigger picture with situations like this. It is better that he is raising awareness than rotting in a jail cell where he would no doubt have emerged years later as an institutionalised, unemployable, and resentful hardened criminal . I dunno about the US, but here in the UK there is a massive problem with 'lad culture'- groups of lairy chav boys will go on nights out, and as soon as the clubs shut they roam the streets, looking for fights, almost as a 'sport.'. He is by no means alone with this mentality, he was just unlucky enough to be one of those silly little arseholes who ended up killing someone. If he can discourage boys (and girls) from buying into this thug peer pressure, then he's alright in my book. After all, who are you going to listen to if not someone who has to deal with the reality of having killed someone unintentionally, due to their lack of judgement and alcohol impairment.

[@supersbbrawl4ever]

@EternallySecureInChrist The bigger picture is that he's helping save lives by trying to prevent certain members of future generations from doing those things.

[@supersbbrawl4ever]

@Wilbur Wafer Guess it's down to perspective then. Doesn't change the fact that he clearly wants redemption.

[@supersbbrawl4ever]

@Wilbur Wafer Tell that to the victim's parents who forgave him and helped him change.

[@stewartp115]

He can’t say his name can he

[@frankstared]

Humanism and empathy are the essence of sustainable communities.

[@foulme]

really? so how human or empathic was it when he decided to just go up to a random person to punch him? lets take the death away. just the thought of it to just randomly walking the streets and then punching some random person for no reason at all is a clear reason why this person just shouldnt be on the planet.

[@frankstared]

@@foulme How? Look at your own life. When you are wronged in a relationship that you actually want to keep, do you then get angry and try to gain vengeance from the person who wronged you? If you answer yes, then you won't have too many trusting relationships. As generations of humanists have sought to teach us from Socrates to Erich Fromm, empathy, forgiveness , loving-kindness, sharing, acceptance work in romantic relationships, in friendships, in families, in partnerships, among colleagues, in neighborhoods and even internationally, too. Punitive justice is not only unjust, it is the definition of criminal, since it perpetuates the cycle of oppression and violence that have always and still do act to undermine the fabric of the common good. Maturity means having the courage to set aside the ego in order to build up the common good.

[@frankstared]

@Wilbur Wafer I am glad that you gave some thought to your comment, so I'll respond. There's a place for all of us to live equitably and symbiotically with nature on this earth (though it is past time we integrated far greater contraception to create livable, wellness-focused, and symbiotic conditions) but it will take collaborative cooperation not competition. When we use put downs and that type of language we are serving the divide and conquer approach of tyrants and oligarchs who want the common good divided. Consider this if you really believe in helping others let alone making headway in furthering the common good.

[@frankstared]

@Wilbur Wafer Do you believe in collaboration?

[@frankstared]

@Wilbur Wafer It is a pity that you persist in using labels but sadly that is the way many have been taught to respond to ideas they feel threatening. Conversely, many, many humanists believe that we are all in this together, so that means we need to be able to see beyond to the big picture: equity and symbiotic renaturalization. In order to do this we need to embrace nonjudgmental collaboration and that means that no one is excluded, incidentally I also believe that when we integrate all members of humanity into the whole we also facilitate not only self- and community-actualization but also a wellness and loving-kindness-based world. Peace and good luck on your journey.

[@jyxander5597]

My respect to you for share your testimony

[@richuk69]

One of the most emotional things I've watched I don't cry easily but I was choked by the end

[@suminshizzles6951]

Sick fuckign world when people cry for murderers.

[@richuk69]

@@suminshizzles6951 it's the purpose that determines the action his purpose wasn't to kill if I hit a child with my car after they run out into the road and they die am I a murderer or was the consequence that someone died because of my action?

[@JuliusFawcett]

Wow, this is powerful

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

Don't let him get in your head

[@paulbeades6681]

Definition of Courage right there.

[@supernerdgamer7959]

Shut up. He a murderer and loving the fact he only served a long holiday for murder

[@KnightoftheLord1]

Yeah it takes a lot of courage to punch an unsuspecting guy and then run away while he's dying on the floor........

[@frankstared]

"The people who had been harmed the most in my story were the ones who judged me the least." -Jacob Dunne Essentially this is not only at the very heart of empathy, it is the key to transformative justice, to caring for one another, and in building collaborative communities. No hierarchy, rank, no class; only equity.

[@nicolebennett3413]

He killed a guy through careless aggression and gets his own TED talk? Most people don't go around punching rando's unprovoked or even if they think they were in a fight with one of their mates.

[@tonic6646]

Have you listen what he is saying ? Shut up, take notes to be a better person.

[@yashsingh5563]

@@tonic6646 I mean, I haven't murdered a paramedic. Am I better person?

[@ToTaLePiCpEaNuT]

Actually the majority of men have got into fights when their mates were in fights... it’s so common it’s unreal. (That isn’t saying it’s right or wrong just a fact)

[@CSRL8]

@@tonic6646 lmfao no

[@CSRL8]

@@shaunaweldon5025 Taking the life of an innocent young man is a little more than a mistake. I spoke to Jacob Dunne on Twitter personally and he denies that he is a murderer.

[@RetroMasters1977]

i could not forgive any body that killed one of my family memebers, never could dont think i could forgive any one thats just me

[@aliinottingham]

Good on him. This was very inspirational and nice to watch.

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

I mean, I hate Jacob Dunne but you believe what you want to believe.

[@x-latetv-x6816]

@@comictemplatestudios4378 u hate restorative justice which means you hate society

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

@@x-latetv-x6816 I don't hate restorative justice. I just don't appreciate the fact people find Jacob Dunne inspiring. He literally killed someone and thousands of people go about thinking he's a great guy just because he was forgiven and wants people not to be like him.

[@melissa258]

Well done Jacob I'm so proud of u !

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

Don't forget he took the life of a paramedic

[@UnknownUser-by4le]

@@comictemplatestudios4378 oh shut up. He made a mistake and it caused a death. The family of the paramedic forgave him. So why don’t you back off

[@markuss2019]

just saying.... what your offence was is called culpable homicide AKA manslaughter murder means intent to kill manslaughter is the unlawful killing of a human being without malice . Those words do cause psychological impact upon yourself the guilt and shame from words and definitions like that will eat you up, manslaughter ok you made a terrible mistake , forgive yourself ask for forgiveness Do better with your life cause you still have one. I know this because I have Been in your shoes too.

[@user-im5pc8ej1l]

What have you done?

[@CuriousityKey]

he came to our school today for the last talk he’s ever doing and it was amazing

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

I would have yelled "screw you" at him once he was finished

[@untetheredmoon6971]

@@comictemplatestudios4378 savage!

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

@@untetheredmoon6971 thank you

[@callmesnowyy1984]

Killed a man and he only did a year ?

[@avakinlifeleah810]

It was an accidental murder because him and the other man got in a fight and he punched him and killed him.

[@lapav9486]

Accidentally murder is called manslaughter. He served a manslaughter charge.

[@callmesnowyy1984]

@@lapav9486 to me it's still a purpose murder hitting someone who didn't hit first will obviously cause damage and that's why he did it so him knowing it will cause damage. if he knew it would do no damage he wouldnt of threw the punch. man slaughter for me is like feeding someone and not knowing ite not cooked properly and they die by it

[@CYOnTheBeat]

@@avakinlifeleah810 do your research his friend called him to the scene he shows up sucker punches the ems kills him and leaves

[@CS-bd2lc]

@@avakinlifeleah810 actually if you were up on your facts they did not get into a fight. This thug went up to his victim and punched him for no reason, he admits that himself in a this morning interview.

[@manosherry]

Massive respect for this person

[@CSRL8]

Imagine respecting a killer 😂

[@KnightoftheLord1]

Why? he doesn't deserve it.

[@peterprice-patrickofpenkri1898]

I am a pub landlord, just closed up for the night, lve got to be real now, this guy is one of many, and now he's Jesus.Ffs.

[@NelsonVanDweller]

Nah I don't think so mate. It's better that he's doing this than in prison wasting away. His story is very emotional and impactful. It resonated with me and I'm sure many others.

[@Michael-hk6dj]

Well said Peter. It's an absolute joke. You kill someone you get your own talk show. He's displaying no real remorse at all.

[@JB-pk4ck]

@@Michael-hk6dj I agree i see little remorse, his mugshot shows an arrogant man , not a broken man and the fake ali g accent says it all about him

[@yashsingh5563]

@@NelsonVanDweller He could still do labour and work and have his income garnished by the state in order to make amends properly

[@NelsonVanDweller]

@@yashsingh5563 like community service or something ?

[@gouledismail1776]

Huge respect for this young man

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

He doesn't deserve huge respect he deserves minimum respect

[@spectrablaze3760]

@@comictemplatestudios4378 0 respect

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

​@@spectrablaze3760 yes

[@KnightoftheLord1]

Punching a guy who couldn't really see it coming, then running away and leaving him to die? Sounds like he doesn't deserve any respect. Plus, he's got the most BORING voice on the planet, just saying.......

[@umarchowdhury7752]

Anas ibn Malik reported: The Messenger of Allah, sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, said, “Help your brother, whether he is an oppressor or is oppressed.” It was said, “O Messenger of Allah, we help the oppressed, but how do we help an oppressor?” The Prophet (s.a.w.) said, “By seizing his hand.” In another narration, the Prophet said, “By restraining him or preventing him from committing injustice, for that is how you support him.” Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 2312,

[@djspark191]

What a man

[@KnightoftheLord1]

He punched a man who couldn't see it coming, then ran off leaving him to a die and went on holiday...... yeah the guy's a real diamond.

[@user-qd5kn7xv5r]

How the fucj did he kill him with one punch

[@tumbel99]

Respect to him for taking responsibility for his actions and turning his life around completely.But it still is heart breaking.

[@nglchff]

What I would like to know is what YOU did for your victim's family to set things right beyond just going back to school. Are you giving them a substantial percentage of your earnings? As someone whose uncle was killed by another person, I find these videos offensive.

[@amm8017]

I m so sorry for your loss. Did you watch the video till the end ? Helping this kid helped this family. I hope you find peace.

[@Michael-hk6dj]

Well said Angela. The best comment on this page.

[@Michael-hk6dj]

@@amm8017 How would you really know?

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

As a wise TV Show character once said "Preaching to the choir sister"

[@DavidJohnson-dc8lu]

Though he didn't mean to murder the poor man, he should have got more than 2 and a half years, and people have for the same type of killer punch and some people were provoked into the punch for good reason too.

[@frankstared]

You are describing punitive justice and this is a story that illustrates transformative justice. The former is defined by cynicism while the later is defined by hopefulness.

[@frankstared]

@@danielbarlow7384 That is precisely why laws are NOT written in the heat of the moment. Vengeance is simply the perpetuation of violence and that does not serve the common good.

[@frankstared]

@@danielbarlow7384 The common good is not abstract; it has been arrived at over thousands of years of human evolution and is defined in the collective and generational culmination of our most cherished values as embodied in human rights and equity. You must ask yourself: does loving-kindness work with our romantic partners? does it work with our friends? does it work with our family? our neighbors? our communities? between nations? We must learn to create communities defined by wellness and that means that we take care of each other. It also means that your own pain needs to be validated and those that are hurt collaborate with those who hurt to close the cycle of retribution and abuse. And that depends on creating sustainable and equitable societies defined by those common good values like human rights. We are all in this together and it will be together, not apart, where we'll find healing and wellness but that means that we also create societies defined by those values. Take care.

[@igoricat]

@@danielbarlow7384 This video is literally about how the loved ones didn't judge. But you think you have the right to. Talking about a high moral ground

[@austinraftery9304]

I'm sure Jacob Dunne didn't mean to take a life, but the sentence of 30 months is a huge insult to the memory of James Hodgkinson and his family. Whilst it is admirable that Dunne is now trying to ' help the kids' , the cynic in me thinks that he is merely a poacher turned game keeper, but I genuinely hope I'm wrong . There is a plethora of youtube content regarding ex prisoners touring schools, briefing kids about drugs, crime and the like, and they do fantastic work. But I wonder whether their decision to do this work comes from a place of genuine philanthropy and a sense of atonement, or is it due to the fact that many ex prisoners struggle to find employment, due to the seriousness of their past crimes, with the lecture circuit providing a decent and regular stream of income. Would I be wrong in assuming these are paying gigs And not to mention the amount of books written by ex criminals, regaling us with stories of their past lives. Regaling, entertaining and highly lucrative . And who says crime doesn't pay ? I'm saying nout, just merely playing devil's advocate .

[@joebloggs5186]

Crying for himself not the victim.

[@jayangli]

Joe. I agree!

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

Just goes to show, all one has to do to be a role model is kill someone and then stop killing people

[@sidewayskiwikick2899]

The reality is his punch killed someone. Someone’s son died because he threw a punch. No sympathy for him whatsoever.

[@foulme]

amen

[@XxIWantChickenxX]

you've completely missed the point

[@sidewayskiwikick2899]

@@LickThemFlaps wouldint say that if it was your kid he killed.

[@user-vg2lp1fd6z]

@@sidewayskiwikick2899 his parents have accepted that it was an accident

[@Bigmiss2008]

Sideways kiwi kick I agree

[@raaaaasable]

Top man

[@raaaaasable]

@Wilbur Wafer The man has admitted his guilt and remorse and is trying to educate other young men to not follow the route that he did. I certainly do not condone what he did but I respect the fact he is trying his best to try atone for it and reach out to other young people

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

No

[@KnightoftheLord1]

He punched a guy who couldn't really see it coming and ran away leaving him dying on the floor, then went and had a holiday. Yeah, top man indeed.

[@danvalenti]

Why is this guy taking point on modern legal questions? Is he the type of guy who will respond to disputes while defunding the police? If he is the type of civilian response member we can do better than this. I’ll take the police over this guy

[@dominickeefe2454]

Shows the redemptive power of getting a cold jacket potato and a bit of coleslaw for 15 munfs. Studying English hasn't really paid off for him

[@user-vg2lp1fd6z]

Maybe his first class honours degree in criminology will.

[@user-vg2lp1fd6z]

Do you know he's making money from it?

[@Michael-hk6dj]

An eye for an eye I say.

[@Harry-the-Hat]

Makes the world blind

[@Michael-hk6dj]

@@Harry-the-Hat makes the world see

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

@@Harry-the-Hat that's true, that's why I focus on an eye for an eye as a more natural thing, karma and all.

[@elusive3754]

I don't have any empathy for him.

[@TheDanpatdoy]

@@lapav9486 he sucker punched the victim

[@comictemplatestudios4378]

He doesn't deserve anyone's empathy