Why Restorative Justice is Important

Restorative justice is important because it address crime and conflict in a non-adversarial process, focusing on healing, accountability, and the community to offer an alternative to traditional punitive system, especially for minor offenses, which can help address issues like mass incarceration. This process brings together the individuals directly impacted by offense victims, offenders, and community members to collectively address the harm done and find solutions that promote understanding, repair, and reintegration. 

What Is Restorative Justice?

Restorative justice is a community-driven process that seeks to repair harm caused by criminal or harmful behavior. It is based on the belief that justice should focus on healing and restoration rather than punishment. At its core, restorative justice answers three important questions:

1. What harm was done
2. Who was affected by this harm
3. How can the harm be repaired

Through this approach and facilitated meetings, youth will learn the real impact of their actions, victims receive the acknowledgment and answers they need, and communities work together to restore balance and prevent future harm.

By focusing on accountability, restorative justice helps youthful accusers grow, rebuilds trust in the community, and leads to more lasting and meaningful solutions than traditional punitive measures that often leads to further criminal activity.

Our 90-Day Restorative Justice Program is designed to address juvenile offenses and intervene in the lives of young adults before criminal charges are filed, by promoting accountability, repairing harm and giving youthful offenders the opportunity to rehabilitate their behavior while remaining in the community to avoid the long-term effects of entering the juvenile justice or adult correctional system.

Key Objectives:

1. Accountability: Youth accepts responsibility for their actions and understand the impact of their behavior on others.
2. Repairing Harm: Focus on healing the relationships between offenders, victims, and the community by promoting restitution and dialogue.
3. Reintegration: Support youth in returning to their communities as productive, law-abiding members.

Program Components:

1. Restorative Circles:
   A facilitated meeting between the offender, the victim (if willing), and community members. Participants discuss the offense, its impact, and collaboratively create a plan to repair the harm caused.
2. Victim Support:
   Victims have the option to participate in the process, where they can express how the crime affected them and suggest meaningful ways for the offender to make amends. Victim-centered support services are available, whether the victim participates in the process.
3. Life Skills & Development Training:
   Workshops that address anger management, conflict resolution, communication skills, and emotional intelligence, giving youth the tools needed to avoid future conflict.
4. Community Service & Restitution:
   Offenders may be required to engage in community service projects or make financial restitution to victims, depending on the nature of the offense.
5. Family Engagement:
   Families are engaged in the process to support the youth’s rehabilitation, encouraging stronger family bonds and creating a supportive environment for reintegration.
6. Education & Employment Assistance:
   The program helps with re-enrolling in school, vocational training, or employment opportunities to support long-term success and reduce the chances of reoffending.

Program Phases:

1. Referral & Intake:
   Youth are referred to the program by a juvenile court jurisdiction or school administration personnel. An intake interview is conducted to assess their needs and the nature of the offense.
2. Restorative Conference:
   The facilitated discussion takes place, leading to a restitution agreement or action plan that outlines steps for the offender to make amends. This may include community service, direct restitution, or another restorative action.
3. 90 Day Implementation Plan & Support:
   The youth implement the restitution plan while being supported by mentors, family, and program staff. Youth are required to attend weekly groups and counseling sessions.

4. Physical Fitness and Wellness – Physical fitness activities promote discipline, emotional regulation, and overall well-being. Structured physical activities are incorporated into the program to relieve stress, improve mental health, and support the rehabilitation process.
5. Completion and Graduation – Upon completing the 90-day program, participants present their progress to a review board, including the victim and community representatives. The presentation highlights how they have repaired harm, completed their accountability plan, and made strides in leadership, conflict resolution, self-empowerment and personal empowerment.

Eligibility:

• Age: Youth ages 11-17
• Types of Offenses: All crimes are subject to program approval. We accept Minor, violent and sexual offenses including property crimes, vandalism, theft, and minor assaults. Violent offenses may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on the circumstances and the willingness of the victim to participate.
• Court Referral or Diversion Program: Youth are referred to the program through juvenile court, law enforcement, schools, or as an alternative to detention or probation