From Mark...

I traveled here with high expectations of Turkish hospitality and my experience has been surpassed tenfold.  They have an interesting culture. Much emphasis is placed on food so naturally I fit in very comfortably! Professionally, I am enjoying my experience as well. Turkey is attempting to implement a comprehensive restorative process dealing with criminal offenses where they involve the victim, community and offender in attempting to repair the harm caused by crime. At a minimum, they intend on using victim-offender mediation on cases that would otherwise involve a five year prison sentence in addition to negligence cases when the victim and offender agree. This process is being used in many European countries and in some communities in the US. They want to resolve the underlying causes of crime to promote a more peaceful and safe community and country.  I worked with 250 judges and prosecutors from every province of Turkey.  Legislation has already been adopted and they are now involved in its implementation.They are aiming high and we all should watch carefully.