What is Restorative Justice?

  • Restorative Justice is a philosophy and practice rooted in the belief that a healthy community requires healthy interpersonal connections.

    Restorative Justice focuses on two areas: 1) Building and strengthening healthy, respectful, and inclusive group relationships (prevention) and 2) Repairing and restoring relationships when there has been harm, conflict, or crime that impacts them.

    Community Building Circles

    We use Community Building Circles to build and strengthen our community. The objectives of Community Building Circles are to:

    1. BUILD relationships through intentional dialogue where we can SEE and HEAR one another.

    2. DISCOVER commonalities within the group.

    3. UPLIFT the diversities of the group and RESPECT our individual uniqueness.

    4. SHARE core values.

    5. Set and LEARN one another’s personal goals and how the group can SUPPORT one another.

    6. Have some FUN together.

     

    Gircle graphicCircle Guidelines

    Circle Guidelines are:

    1. Respect the talking piece

    2. Speak from the heart

    3. Listen from the heart

    4. Say just enough

    5. Confidentiality



    The Spectrum of Restorative Practices

    Restorative Justic Spectrum

    Restorative Justice is not new. It is rooted in indigenous practices and centers on our core values, respect, and inclusion. Benefits include improved academic performance, positive shifts in school and classroom climate, and less destructive conflicts. Restorative Justice is not punitive. Restorative Justice is not mediation. Restorative Justice is primarily about forgiveness or reconciliation. Restorative Justice is not a “cure-all”.