The Little Book of Restorative Justice

Restorative justice is a process that focuses on repairing harm and healing relationships, rather than solely punishing offenders. It is often used in cases of crime, but can also be used in other settings, such as schools, workplaces, and families.

The Little Book of Restorative Justice: Revised and Updated (Justice and Peacebuilding)

by Howard Zehr

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1434 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	61 pages

FREE

The goal of restorative justice is to bring together the victim, the offender, and the community to discuss the harm that has been done and to work together to find a resolution that meets the needs of all parties involved.

Restorative justice is based on the belief that crime is not just a violation of the law, but also a violation of relationships. When a crime occurs, it harms the victim, the offender, and the community as a whole. Restorative justice seeks to address the harm that has been done and to rebuild the relationships that have been damaged.

There are many different ways to practice restorative justice. Some common methods include:

• Victim-offender mediation: This is a process in which the victim and the offender meet face-to-face to discuss the harm that has been done and to work together to find a resolution.
• Circle conferences: These are meetings in which the victim, the offender, and the community come together to discuss the harm that has been done and to work together to find a resolution.
• Family group conferencing: These are meetings in which the victim, the offender, and their families come together to discuss the harm that has been done and to work together to find a resolution.

Restorative justice is a powerful tool that can be used to heal the harm caused by crime and to rebuild relationships. It is a process that is based on the belief that everyone deserves a chance to make amends for their mistakes and to move forward with their lives.

Benefits of Restorative Justice

There are many benefits to using restorative justice, including:

• It can help to reduce recidivism: Studies have shown that restorative justice programs can reduce recidivism by up to 50%. This is likely because restorative justice helps offenders to understand the harm that they have caused and to take responsibility for their actions.
• It can help to heal the harm caused by crime: Restorative justice can help victims to feel heard and validated, and it can help them to move on from the trauma of crime.
• It can help to rebuild relationships: Restorative justice can help to rebuild relationships between victims, offenders, and the community. This can help to create a more peaceful and just society.
• It is cost-effective: Restorative justice programs can be less expensive than traditional criminal justice programs.

How to Start a Restorative Justice Program

If you are interested in starting a restorative justice program in your community, there are a few things you can do:

1. Get training: There are many organizations that offer training in restorative justice. This training will help you to understand the principles of restorative justice and how to use it in your community.
2. Build a team: You will need to assemble a team of people to help you start and run your restorative justice program. This team should include representatives from the community, the criminal justice system, and the victim services community.
3. Develop a plan: You will need to develop a plan for your restorative justice program. This plan should include your goals, objectives, and strategies.
4. Get funding: You will need to find funding for your restorative justice program. There are a number of different ways to do this, such as grants, donations, and fundraising.
5. Start your program: Once you have completed the previous steps, you can start your restorative justice program. Be patient and persistent, and you will eventually see the benefits of restorative justice in your community.

Restorative justice is a powerful tool that can be used to heal the harm caused by crime and to rebuild relationships. It is a process that is based on the belief that everyone deserves a chance to make amends for their mistakes and to move forward with their lives. If you are interested in starting a restorative justice program in your community, there are a number of resources available to help you.

The Little Book of Restorative Justice: Revised and Updated (Justice and Peacebuilding)

by Howard Zehr

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1434 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	61 pages

FREE