Governed by a retributive paradigm, the criminal justice process threatens to co-opt and subvert alternative processes such as mediation. Only a grounding in alternative values -- an alternative, restorative understanding of justice -- can reduce such co-optation. Change advocates must be aware that their reforms may go astray and should be careful about imposing their visions and values on others. Unless underlying traditional assumptions and values are transformed to alternative assumptions and values, alternative processes will rarely end up as real alternatives. Visions and values are crucial in the process of change; what is liberating to some is oppressive to others. This is an important warning to those who seek to implement criminal justice processes that are humanizing and community building. They must remain open and humble about what they "know" and what they seek to implement. Table, references