Restorative Justice

Today’s model of restorative justice/restorative practices is founded on centuries-old American Indian/Alaskan Native peacemaking systems. Restorative justice/restorative practices is a strengths-based approach that can be utilized in guiding schools and communities to a values-based approach to responding to wrongdoing and conflict and a way of repairing harm to an individual and the community. Restorative justice is cylindrical in nature, with a balanced focus on the person harmed, the person causing the harm, and the affected community. Restorative justice/restorative practices is not based on legal philosophies or techniques; it is a way of thinking—or being with each other. Restorative justice/restorative practices has become a best practice in many communities because its dynamics of participatory democracy, talking things out, consensus building, and respect-based communication have moved from the school and courthouse settings to an internalized habit in the people who have learned and experienced restorative justice.