Restorative Justice is a mission to practice and organize different projects seeking to increase the visibility of, access to restorative justice

Support from the community, opportunity to define the harm experienced, and participation in decision making about steps for repair result in increased victim recovery from the trauma of crime.

Community involvement in preventing and controlling juvenile crime, improving neighborhoods, and strengthening the bonds among community members results understanding the human impact of their behavior, accepting responsibility, expressing remorse, taking action to repair the damage, and developing their own capacities, juvenile offenders become fully integrated, respected members of the community.

Circles are a process of bringing people together with the purpose of building community through individual expression and collective empowerment.  Derived from various, sacred Native American and African traditions, circles are essential in establishing values and principles within the community.  This process creates a space where the goal is to lift barriers between people and encourage daily dialog that is paramount in developing healthy relationships within the classroom, and the community as a whole.

Circles.  Participants sit in a circle and are encouraged to express themselves freely and honestly, while upholding the integrity of the circle as well as the respect of every individual.

The circle process can be used to accomplish a variety of outcomes including community development, relationship building, conflict resolution and problem solving, racial harmony, healing and trust building.  It is effective because it seeks to bring people together in a way that allows them to see one another as human beings.

Why RJ?

Restorative Justice emphasizes repairing harm and addressing trauma, holding the person that is doing the harm accountable for repairing that harm and involving everyone in restoring relationships. RJ is more than a program or practice; it is a mindset and an approach for how we live and function as a school community every day.

Why RJ is important?

Restorative justice is a support to become a mainstream practice in criminal justice sector, schools, neighborhoods and communities. Restorative Justice will be widely recognized as an effective, evidence based alternative to retributive criminal justice policies and punitive school discipline, capable of reducing violence and fostering public safety.

Pocket Guide front layout

Pocket Guide back layout

Booklet front and back cover

Booklet inside spread

Booklet inside spread