What is Restorative Justice?
Restorative Justice is a philosophy that views crime as a violation of relationships and people. The aim of Restorative Justice is to identify responsibilities, meet needs, and promote healing through the involvement of victims, offenders, and community members.

The emphasis in Restorative Justice is on the harm that has been created and less about laws that have been broken. It requires a wrongdoer to accept responsibility for his or her actions by repairing, as much as possible, the harm caused and by dealing with issues attributable to the wrongdoing. The practice of Restorative Justice happens through a bringing together of the wrongdoer, families, those who have been harmed, and community members in a dialogue designed to promote healing and reparations.

You can learn more from these organizations dedicated to Restorative Justice practices:

Prison Fellowshop International's Restorative Justice Online

International Institute for Restorative Practices

Real Justice

Restorative Justice Community

Victim Offender Mediation Association

Restorative Justice programs affiliated with the Minnesota Dept. of Corrections

Articles about Restorative Justice:

"Forgiveness and Restorative Justice in Vermont"

"Circling Toward Justice"

"Justifying Restorative Justice: A Theoretical Justification for the Use of Restorative Justice Practices"

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime: Handbook on Restorative Justice Programmes [pdf]