What is Restorative Justice (RJ)?

Restorative Justice (RJ) is a set of principles, a philosophy, focused on mending broken relationships to create a better future. It is a fundamental shift in the way that we think about and do justice, in the way that we do community. What happens when we stop thinking about justice as “an eye for an eye”? What happens when we think about harm in ways that don’t involve retaliation or vengeance, but healing and transformation?

Our current justice asks three questions when a harm has been committed:

1. What law was broken?

2. Who broke it?

3. What punishment is warranted?

RJ Asks:

1. Who was harmed?

2. What are the needs and responsibilities of all effected?

3. How do all affected parties together address needs and repair harm?

Restorative Justice is rooted in indigenous practices. It is reparative, inclusive, and balanced. It can be practiced anywhere that we make human connections.

“Focused on Mending Broken Relationships to Create a Better Future.”

Restorative justice invites a fundamental shift in the way we think about and do justice.