How it works

Restorative justice works to reduce repeat offenders, reduce crime overall and strengthen and build community.

How it works for offenders and victims

We use a face-to-face model called “community conferencing,” which is very different from the traditional court process. Our goal is restorative justice, which means the outcome should repair whatever damage was done to the extent possible.  The conference itself is a guided small group discussion with a focus on two things: how people are affected by certain activities and how to repair the harm. A conference can deal with up to 4 separate cases in 2 to 3 hours. This is not about shaming or punishment. It is meant to produce a positive outcome through personal responsibility and the opportunity to make amends. The program exists because people from local neighborhoods are working together to improve the quality of life in their community.

How it works for communities

Restorative justice improves accountability through consequences that are more significant to the offender and community than traditional punishments administered by the punitive system. Through the community conferencing process, community members get to know their neighbors and go on to join other neighborhood activities: neighborhood board, block patrol, clean-up event, etc. Each offender meets face-to-face with community members, admits responsibility and learns first-hand how their actions have affected others.

Community members have a direct role in the justice process—a chance to tell the offender exactly how they feel and to have input in the deciding outcomes.