Restorative Justice: Processes for Creating Right Relationship After a Crime Compiled by Rhonda Pfaltzgraff-Carlson

Different Approaches/Questions Criminal Justice What laws have been broken? Who did it? What do they deserve? Restorative Justice Who has been hurt? What are their needs? Whose obligations are these? Zehr, Howard (2002) The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Intercourse, PA: Good Books.

Contrasting Views Criminal Justice Crime is a violation of the law and the state Violations create guilt Justice requires the state to determine blame (guilt) and impose pain (punishment) Central Focus: Offenders getting what they deserve. Restorative Justice Crime is a violation of people and relationships Violations create obligations Justice involves victims, offenders, and community members' efforts to make things right again Central Focus: Victims' needs and offenders' responsibility for repairing the harm done to them. Zehr, Howard (2002) The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Intercourse, PA: Good Books.

Restorative Justice Principles Crime is a violation of people and of interpersonal relationships Violations create obligations The central obligation is to right the wrongs Zehr, Howard (2002) The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Intercourse, PA: Good Books.

3 Pillars of Restorative Justice Harms and Needs Focuses primarily on the victim's harm and related needs, but also those of the community and offenders Obligations Addresses the obligations that have arisen from the harm done (primarily the offenders but also the communities') Engagement Inclusive collaborative processes allow for engagement among those who have a stake in the offense and its resolution Zehr, Howard (2002) The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Intercourse, PA: Good Books.

Core Aspects of Practices Encounter between key stakeholders Preference for face-to-face meetings Led by facilitators who oversee and guide the process while balancing concern for all parties Explore facts, feelings and resolution Zehr, Howard (2002) The Little Book of Restorative Justice. Intercourse, PA: Good Books.

Restorative Justice Practices Community Levels of Restorative Practice 1) Individually Restorative 2) Relationally Restorative 3) Socially Restorative Restorative Values VICTIM NEEDS (Community of Care) Victim Services Compensation funds Support Groups OFFENDER FAMILY NEEDS Family Services Support Groups Transportation and Visitation Services OFFENDER NEEDS (Accountability & Healing) Reentry Assistance Offender Services Support Groups Circles; Family Group Conferencing Family Group Decision Making; Transitional Conferencing Face-to-Face Meetings; Peer Support Victim-Offender Conferencing; Dialogue Groups; Circles of Support & Accountability Toews, Barb (2006) The Little Book of Restorative Justice for People in Prison: Rebuilding the Web of Relationships. Intercourse, PA: Good Books.

Points of Contact: Restorative Justice Programs w/ Criminal Justice System Crime Report & Arrest Charge Plea Sentencing Incarceration Community Conferencing/ Youth Programs DiversionPost Plea Aboriginal Justice Programs Prison Visitation Programs Circles of Support & Accountability Punishment/Retribution Healing/Restoration Reintegration into Community Separation from Community V-O Mediation: