The Rest Is Politics: Leading 163. Prison Reform, Masculinity, and Restorative Justice (James Graham and Jacob Dunne)
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Nov 24, 2025 James Graham, an award-winning British playwright, teams up with Jacob Dunne, a campaigner and former offender advocating for restorative justice. They delve into Jacob's profound journey from a tragic incident that led to a death to seeking forgiveness from the victim's parents. The duo explores how drama can spark essential conversations about justice, forgiveness, and masculinity. They discuss the failures of the current criminal justice system and promote restorative justice as a compassionate alternative, aiming to align public opinion with effective reforms.
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Focus On The Journey, Not The Sensation
- Jacob says the punch itself has limited value for discussion and urges focus on lessons learned and systemic implications.
- He advises shifting public attention from sensationalism to rehabilitation and prevention.
The Play's Central Moral Challenge
- The play asks audiences to consider whether they could forgive the person who harmed them most, forcing a moral question.
- That provocation drives engagement and reframes punishment versus reconciliation.
A Personal Story Reveals Systemic Failure
- James Graham frames Jacob as someone who walked through failing institutions: schools, social services, courts, and prisons.
- He uses Jacob's story to examine broader systemic failures over the last decade of austerity.
