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Restorative Justice

Overview

“Is a process to involve, to the extent possible, those who have a stake in a specific offense and to collectively identify and address harms, needs and obligations, in order to heal and put things as right as possible.” -Howard Zehr, Zher Institute for Restorative Justice

Three assumptions underlie Restorative Justice:

  • When people and relationships are harmed, needs are created
  • The needs created by harms lead to obligations
  • The obligations are to heal and “put right” the harms; this is a just response.

Three principles of Restorative Justice reflect these assumptions: A just response…

  • Acknowledges and repairs the harm caused by, and revealed by, wrongdoing (restoration);
  • Encourages appropriate responsibility for addressing needs and repairing the harm (accountability);
  • Involves those impacted, including the community, in the resolution (engagement).

“Is a process to involve, to the extent possible, those who have a stake in a specific offense and to collectively identify and address harms, needs and obligations, in order to heal and put things as right as possible.” -Howard Zehr, Zher Institute for Restorative Justice

Three assumptions underlie Restorative Justice:

  • When people and relationships are harmed, needs are created
  • The needs created by harms lead to obligations
  • The obligations are to heal and “put right” the harms; this is a just response.

Three principles of Restorative Justice reflect these assumptions: A just response…

  • Acknowledges and repairs the harm caused by, and revealed by, wrongdoing (restoration);
  • Encourages appropriate responsibility for addressing needs and repairing the harm (accountability);
  • Involves those impacted, including the community, in the resolution (engagement).
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Articles

Life Comes From It: Navajo Justice Concepts

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Conflict as Property

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Tikkun | Restorative Justice

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Punishing “Predators” Will Not Save Us

By Kelly Hayes,Truthout Original article found here Protesters attend a “Me Too” rally to denounce sexual harassment and assaults of women in Los Angeles, California, on

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#NotYet: Why I Won’t Publicly Name Abusers

By Kai Cheng Thom Original article found here I’d like to believe that a better world is on her way. Certainly, the times we live

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Consenting to Normal

By Hyejin Shim Original article found here In the #MeToo moment, the policing of those who speak up about varying forms of sexual violence and

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Reconciling Rage and Compassion: the Unfolding #MeToo Moment for Junot Diaz

By Aya de Leon Original article found here It’s time to tell the whole truth about Junot Diaz. Last month, he came out with a powerful

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Students Push for Restorative Approaches to Campus Sexual Assault

by Kerry Cardoza,Truthout Original article found here From 2007 to 2011, Suzy Exposito was a busy, ambitious art student at The New School in New York

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A different path for confronting sexual assault

by Sujatha Baliga Original article found here “When I was crying, that was no,” Sofia yelled. “When I pushed your hands away, that was no! And

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Small Seeds

by Healing Bridges Project Original article found here Many people think that the stories I’m collecting will be huge, sweeping success stories. Stories where everything

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Media

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Race and Restorative Justice w/ Fania Davis

By | Amalia Mesa

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What is Restorative Justice?

By | Impact Justice’s National Training and Innovation Center for Restorative Justice Diversion

Play Video

The Importance of Community-Held Restorative Justice Programs

By | The Annie E. Casey Foundation

Listen to Making Amends

Making Amends

MAKING AMENDS FEATURES SIX MEN INCARCERATED AT THE OREGON STATE PENITENTIARY. THEY SHARE STORIES ABOUT THEIR STRUGGLE TO ATONE FOR THE ACTIONS THAT BROUGHT THEM TO PRISON. ​

For several weeks in the early part of 2020, Professor Steve Herbert taught a class inside the Oregon State Penitentiary. The course explored what it means to do harm to others, and what it can mean to try to make things right. It also explored whether the punishment system in the United States -- which incarcerates more people than any society in history -- promotes genuine accountability for criminal offenses. Besides the class, Professor Herbert interviewed several of the class participants in one-on-one conversations, to learn more about their individual stories, and about the particular challenges they face in their efforts to make amends for their past wrongs. ​

"Making Amends" provides an opportunity to hear voices too commonly ignored in conversations about our criminal justice policy. It also challenges listeners to consider how we might better ensure greater accountability for those who commit wrongs. It asks: If we wish to see as many prisoners as possible pursue genuine accountability, do our current practices of punishment help us achieve that goal?
Play Video

Restorative Justice at Home

By | Jennifer Viets

How can we use family Talking Circles to deepen our closest relationships with honest and open communication? What would it mean to intentionally create our own family values? What is a restorative conversation, and how can we use them to practice naming as well as repairing harm with everyone in our household? What is the value of a Peace Corner for children and adults, and how can we build one? We'll explore these questions and more using the new resource "Talking Circles At Home and Parenting Restoratively" by longtime Restorative Justice practitioner Jennifer Viets.

Jennifer Viets (she/her/hers) is a Restorative Justice practitioner both in community and in Chicago Public Schools. In her role as a Restorative Practices Coach, she works with all members of a school community to build relationships and employ restorative responses to harm. With an emphasis on using the arts to reach, teach, and heal, she has worked as a multi-disciplinary teaching artist and arts administrator for children and families for the past 30 years. Jennifer is also the mother and mother-in-law of four grown people, and a practicing Abolitionist. She is currently leading virtual circles for teachers, parents, and community members.

Presented by Project Nia on September 24, 2020.

The Transformative Power of Restorative Justice

By | The Ezra Klein Show

The criminal justice system asks three questions: What law was broken? Who broke it? And what should the punishment be? Upon that edifice — and channeled through old bigotries and fears — we have built the largest system of human incarceration on earth. America accounts for 5 percent of the world’s population and 25 percent of its imprisoned population. Restorative justice asks different questions: Who was harmed? What do they need? And whose obligation is it to meet those needs? It is a radically different model, with profoundly different results both for victims and perpetrators. Studies show restorative justice programs leave survivors more satisfied, cut recidivism rates, and cost less. If we’re thinking about rebuilding the criminal justice program, restorative justice should be central to that conversation. sujatha baliga is the director of the Restorative Justice Project at Impact Justice. She won a MacArthur “genius” grant in 2019. She’s a survivor of abuse herself. Her work points toward a new paradigm for criminal justice: one focused on repairing breaches, not exacting retribution. And it carries lessons for how our politics might function, how our society could heal some of its oldest wounds, and how we live our own precious lives.

Episode 95: How to Do #MeToo Without Prisons (2 of 2)

By | Dr. Alissa Ackerman

Is it possible to combat sexual violence and support survivors without sending perpetrators to prison? Dr. Alissa Ackerman, a sex crimes policy expert and rape survivor, thinks so. In part two of two episodes reconsidering mainstream feminism's reliance on the criminal justice system, Dr. Ackerman outlines a powerful alternative to prison punishment called restorative justice and why she's living proof that it works.
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European Forum for Restorative Justice

By | EFRJ

A list of movies on RJ (but also more in general on offenders´ rehabilitation, conflict resolution, peace, forgiveness and justice) has been collected during the EU-funded project “Accessibility and Initiation of Restorative Justice” (in the context of findings instruments for raising awareness on RJ). Tags: restorative justice, offenders´ rehabilitation, conflict resolution, peace, forgiveness, justice, european forum for restorative justice, video
Tags: restorative justice, chicago, arts, healing, circles, chicago
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Restoring Hope

By | Leah Varjacques

A look at how a community-based, arts-infused restorative justice program fits into the cultural movement fighting for hope and healing in an overwhelmingly punitive system.
Tags: restorative justice, chicago, arts, healing, circles, chicago
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A Different Approach to School Safety

by | Debbie Southorn

On January 16th 2013, President Obama announced a comprehensive plan to address gun violence. There were several proposals including those focused on school safety. Part of the plan enables U.S. public schools to hire up to 1,000 more school police or school counselors.
Tags: youth, justice, restorative justice, peace, forgiveness, healing, apology, harm, repair
Play Video

Restorative Justice Forum Voice

By | Ethan Viets-VanLear

On April 2, 2014, Aldermans Harry Osterman (48th Ward), Joe Moore (49th Ward), James Cappleman (46th Ward), the Children and Family Justice Center, and multiple North Side community agencies hosted a Restorative Justice Forum. Over 150 community members and juvenile justice advocates attended the forum which was comprised of two panels: restorative justice practices in schools and neighborhoods. Ethan Viets-VanLear is a part of Circles & Ciphers

Tags: restorative justice, circles, circles and ciphers, ethan viets van lear, harm, healing
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The Power of Circles

By | Ethan Viets-VanLear

Healing begets healing: restorative justice practices offer a pathway for individual healing for both the person who has been harmed and the person who perpetrated the harm. Restorative-Justice-icon2.jpgRather than defaulting to punitive measures that are more often than not ineffective in preventing further harm - and that disproportionately negatively impact people of color - restorative justice methods have the potential to support a collective healing of our judicial system and society. As you watch, ask yourself and others these questions for discussion: What is the impact of jail time and lost lives in communities across the United States? What might some interventions be that could prevent this kind of loss?

Tags: circle keeping, restorative justice, healing, ethan viets vanlear
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Chicago Restorative & Transformative Justice in Action

by | Gretchen Hasse

The following video was created by Gretchen Hasse. It was filmed at the Restorative and Transformative Justice in Action Gathering that took place in Chicago on August 17, 2012. The event was organized by Project NIA, Building Communities Ending Violence, and Community Justice for Youth Institute.

Tags: Restorative and Transformative Justice in Action Gathering, Chicago on August 17, 2012, circle keeping, training, youth, officers, parents, building
Play Video

Restorative Justice: Why do We Need It?

By | Brave New Films

There's an alternative to our current, failing criminal justice system.

Tagsrestorative justice, video, alternatives to prison industrial complex
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The Neuroscience of Restorative Justice

By | TED featuring Daniel Reisel

There's an alternative to our current, failing criminal justice system.

Tags: Daniel Reisel, ted x, neurobiology, rehabilitation, video
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Healing Justice

By | A World Trust Production | A Film by Shakti Butler

Tags: video,restorative justice
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Restorative Welcome and Reentry Circle

By | RJOY



Tags:restorative justice, video,
Play Video

Meeting with a Killer - Documentary

By | Lisa F. Jackson

Meeting with a Killer follows the family of a young, pregnant woman who was raped and brutally murdered in 1986 near Tomhall, Texas. The family has spent two years going through a victim offender dialogue program in an effort to finally meet one of the men who took their loved one away. 17 September 2001 (USA)

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Hollow Water

By | Bonnie Dickie

This documentary profiles the tiny Ojibway community of Hollow Water on the shores of Lake Winnipeg as they deal with an epidemic of sexual abuse in their midst. The offenders have left a legacy of denial and pain, addiction and suicide. The Manitoba justice system was unsuccessful in ending the cycle of abuse, so the community of Hollow Water took matters into their own hands. The offenders were brought home to face justice in a community healing and sentencing circle. Based on traditional practices, this unique model of justice reunites families and heals both victims and offenders. The film is a powerful tribute to one community's ability to heal and create change.

Tags: videos, survivors , harm doers, dialogues, r experiences of violence, restoration, healing
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Storytelling & Organizing Project

by | Creative Interventions

Here you will find audio clips and transcripts from some of STOP's stories. You will also find information about our project partners, discussion questions and resources for using STOP stories in your own work to intervene in interpersonal violence, as well as information on how to get involved in the project.

Tags: Audio clips, transcripts, stories, intervention
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Transform Chicago

by | Multiple Contributors

This page features Chicago-specific videos/films that address themselves to restorative and/or transformative justice. This list is a work in progress and we will be including more videos in the future. If you have a video/film that you would like us to feature here, please send us the link at transformchi2013@gmail.com.

Tags:  video, Chicago, restorative justice, transformative justice
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Restorative Posters

by | Representing Justice Visually
We are hoping that people will use the posters and the questions in every community. We want the questions to foster dialogue and lead to less punishment and more accountability in our communities. We have to pre-figure the world in which we want to live. Through this project, we are disseminating a different set of questions that might transform our punitive mindsets and perhaps push more people to embrace a more restorative model of addressing harms.

Tags: posters , images, questions for people who have caused harm , how to repair harm, naming harm
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Stories of Violence, Accountability, and Healing

By | Ever After

Until we tell new and more complete stories about violence and its aftermath, we will never be able to transform our responses to it or to keep people safe and well. With Ever After, we are telling those stories: stories of who have survived harm and people who have committed it; stories of violence, accountability, and healing; and stories that will help us see things as they are and imagine what else is possible.

Tags: videos, survivors , harm doers, dialogues, r experiences of violence, restoration, healing
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MacArthur 'Genius' sujatha baliga on the promise of restorative justice

By | City Visions

Host Ethan Elkind sits down with sujatha baliga, director of the Restorative Justice Project at Oakland-based Impact Justice. sujatha is one of recipients of the 2019 MacArthur "genius" grants and joins us to discuss her work expanding access to survivor-centered restorative justice strategies. How may this alternative to our punitive criminal justice system impact mass incarceration, recidivism and violence in California and beyond? Guest: sujatha baliga, director of the Restorative Justice Project at Oakland-based Impact Justice; 2019 MacArthur Fellow. Resources: A Diversion Toolkit for Communities
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Episode 36: Tell Christy I Love Her

By | Ear Hustle

Tom was a cop; Jason was a teenager in a gang. One night in 1997, they had a violent encounter that Tom describes as “inevitable.” In our season finale, Tom and Jason relate the story of that night, and the series of events that unfolded in the years afterward. Big thanks to everyone who shared their stories with us for this episode: Jason Samuel and Tom & Christy Morgan. Antwan Williams, David Jassy and Rhashiyd Zinnamon, and a remixed theme song from listener Matt Glasbey. Thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Davis for their support of the entire fourth season, and Native, EPIX and BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode. Find the transcript for “Tell Christy I Love Her” here, and download the episode here.
Play Video

Mother’s Circle

Sister Donna Liette explains the significance of the Mother's Circle, a space provided by Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation bringing together mothers who have lost children to gun violence and mothers whose sons have been incarcerated for that same crime. The circles are based on the healing power of the restorative justice model and of community support. This film was made possible be the Vincentian Endowment Fund awarded by DePaul's Division of Mission and Ministry.

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Curriculum

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TALKING CIRCLES AT HOME AND PARENTING RESTORATIVELY

By | Jennifer Viets

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Planning to Identify, Prevent and Challenge Gendered Violence in Activism

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Planning to Identify, Prevent and Challenge Gendered Violence in Activism

Workshop by | Project Salvage

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Cities of Peace

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Cities of Peace Curriculum

Workshop by | Cities of Peace

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Other Resources | Links

Life Comes from It_ Navajo Justice Concepts
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Life Comes From It: Navajo Justice Concepts

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Life Comes From It: Navajo Justice Concepts

By | Chief Justice Emeritus Robert Yazzie of the Navajo Supreme Court

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Tikkun | Restorative Justice

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Tikkun | Restorative Justice

Resources

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Conflict as Property

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Conlicts as Property

By | Nils Christie

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A National Portrait of Restorative Approaches to Intimate Partner Violence

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Conlicts as Property

By | Nils Christie

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The Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice

Resources

The Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice, founded in autumn 2012, is a program of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University. The Zehr Institute advocates for restorative justice as a social movement, and is also a convener of spaces where knowledge about restorative justice practices and programs can be shared among practitioners and learners, by facilitating conversations and cultivating connections through activities such as conferences, webinars and both in-person and online courses. As part of the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University, the Zehr Institute is exempt from taxation under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
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Webinar: Transforming Violence: Restorative Justice, Violent Crime, and an end to Mass Incarceration

By | The Zehr Institute

Guest Danielle Sered will discuss the use of restorative justice in cases of serious violent crime such as robbery and assault. Common Justice, the organization she leads, operates a restorative justice program that serves as an alternative to prison in the adult criminal justice system. Sered proposes that responses to violence should be survivor-centered, accountability-based, safety-driven, and racially equitable. She will explore the potential of restorative justice applications through each of those lenses, discuss the program’s partnership with the district attorney’s office, describe the violence intervention model the program employs, and invite conversation regarding the potential for more diversion of violence in the movement as a whole.
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The Road to Repair: Restorative Justice in the Aftermath of Serious Violence and Harm

By | Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Resources mentioned in webinar: Creative Interventions Toolkit. A extensive collection of resources, examples, and strategies for survivor support and accountability work rooted in community. http://www.creative-interventions.org/tools/toolkit/ TransformHarm.org. A resource hub about ending violence, featuring collected writings on restorative and transformative justice. https://transformharm.org/ Survived & Punished. Campaigns and resources (including the Criminalizing Survival Curricula) highlighting the ways in which many survivors experiences of domestic violence, rape, and other forms of gender violence are bound up with systems of incarceration and police violence https://survivedandpunished.org/ Howard Zehr Institute. Zehr authored the Little Book of Restorative Justice mentioned during the webinar. http://zehr-institute.org/
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Restorative Justice Listening Project

By | The Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice

This anthology of ten chapters revolves around new developments in the restorative justice movement as well as assessments and concern areas regarding the current state of the movement. A common thread throughout the chapters is the recognition that restorative justice can no longer be confined to the realm of programs that serve clients. Rather, it is becoming a social movement that promises significant social transformation on many levels of society, connecting both systemic change with frameworks for individual and relational heart-change. Chief among those unfolding changes are matters of race relations, movement leadership and community empowerment. The context for this anthology stems out of a three-year, grant-funded project conducted by the Zehr Institute for Restorative Justice. The first two years included a facilitated consultation of select restorative justice leaders who grappled with future scenarios of where the field may be headed (2015), as well as a larger conference (Restorative Justice in Motion: Building a Movement) that allowed diverse groups to articulate both new successes and new challenges (2016). Out of that event (in 2017), contributors for this anthology were invited to write about those new applications and about current barriers and challenges to movement integrity. The ultimate aim for this third year project was to get the message out to a larger audience connected to the restorative justice movement.
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A Diversion Toolkit for Communities

By | Restorative Justice Project

Sharing Experience, Shifting the Paradigm The Restorative Justice Project at Impact Justice partners with communities across the nation to address harm through dialogue among those most impacted. We work to shift the paradigm from seeing crime as a violation of the law to understanding crime as harm that requires individual, interpersonal, community, and system-wide accountability and healing. Through our approach to restorative justice diversion (RJD), survivors have a voice in their healing process and young people are accountable for harm they’ve caused without being pushed into the juvenile legal system.
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