Restorative Justice
The Process
Restorative Circles
Restorative Conferencing
It is divided into three parts: pre conference preparation, the actual conference, and post conference follow-up. The pre conference allows the facilitator to ensure that both pastries have realistic expectations for the conference. In the actual conference, the victim and offender each get to share their side of the story and talk about the impact the crime has had on their lives. The goal is to establish a common understanding of the events between both parties. The people there to support both parties also get to share their experiences subsequent to the crime. For the offender, the key element of the conference is to convey disapproval for their behavior, while showing them respect and care that they are reintegrated back into society. The follow up is not entirely necessary, but exists to ensure that the process effectively included the values of the conferencing system:
-Mutual respect
-Voluntary participation from both Victim and offenders
-collaboration
-Empowering the participants with the ability to develop their own solutions to repair the harm
Three Pillars of Restorative Justice
2.Identifying what must be done to right the wrong that has been committed and require accountability to right that wrong.
3.Engaging victim, offender and the wider community in the process. Through respectful dialogue, harms can be healed and relationships restored.
Racial Harmony
The restorative justice movement has deep spiritual roots and offers a way to deal with racism and move beyond it. When racial assumptions are likely to occur the mediator must act as an interpreter or a buffer during meetings and face to face encounters.