Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice offers conflict resolution based on community building and compassion. This is a healthy practice for groups in an organization and youth who are interested in overcoming difficulties with harm done by a member of the group. By facilitating first through individual meeting with group members, and each member of the group participating in identification of needs and consequences of the harmful deeds, the community develops strength and capacity for problem-solving in the future rather than blame and shame.

By enacting Restorative Justice practices, a school community can participate in interrupting the “school to prison” pipeline that would be the natural progression of expulsions. Instead, the person who enacted a perceived injustice can learn about the consequences of their actions in a caring manner that retains integrity and rehabilitates trust within the group.

Healing Circles can be the most powerful part of the restorative process but only if proper individual work has been completed and if all parties have been prepared to be actively invested in the healing of the group.

Healing circles can also be a powerful way for group members to reflect on policy, laws, or perceived injustice, and reflect on how they can protect one another from systemic harm. This type of activation has lasting results the in an organization, school, and community.