Restorative justice emphasizes the recognition and repair of harm caused by crime. When victims, offenders and community members meet to decide how to do that, the results can be surprising and transformational for all involved. Restorative justice is rapidly proliferating throughout our criminal justice system simply because it works. It reduces conventional re-offense rates by as much as 50% and draws satisfaction rates of 90% for victims, community members and offenders. Restorative Justice makes our communities safer, precisely because it calls the community to the table in a way that simply does not happen in conventional court rooms. It is by the very process of engaging conflict and wrongdoing, that the community has to in fact define itself, thus inviting norms and ways of living together to be reconsidered and reestablished. Restorative justice helps offenders successfully reintegrate into society by way of offering a venue for accountability and regret. For those most directly affected by crimes, restorative justice provides a venue for questions to be answered, hurt to be expressed and experience to be heard.
Documents and Helpful Resources
DOCUMENTS
DYC: Assessment of Lookout Mountain's Restorative Justice Implementation (212 KB)
RESOURCES
Assessment of restorative justice implementation
Visit This Resource: http://www.courts.state.co.us/userfiles/File/Administration/Probation/Final_Copy_Capstone-5-26-09-Cairns.pdf
Assessment of restorative justice implementation at Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center of the Colorado Division of Youth Corrections.
Dr. Howard Zehr Blog
Visit This Resource: www.emu.edu/blog/restorative-justice
Howard Zehr's always intriguing RJ blog so often referenced on our very own RestoraJustice Twitter feed.
National Institute of Justice
Visit This Resource: www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/topics/courts/restorative-justice/welcome.htm
The Restorative Justice page on the Department of Justice, National Institute of Justice website.
Restorative Justice
Visit This Resource: www.restorativejustice.com
Restorative Justice is a website by Colorado's own Dr. Tom Cavanaugh on restorative justice with a particular focus on RJ in schools.
Restorative Justice Laws
Visit This Resource: www.americanhumane.org/assets/docs/advocacy/ADV-laws-state-restorative-justice.pdf
Site lists the restorative justice laws in each state.
Restorative Justice Online
Visit This Resource: www.restorativejustice.org
Restorative Justice Online is a source for restorative justice news and information.
Restore Justice
Visit This Resource: www.restorejustice.com
Restore Justice is an outreach website of the California Catholic Conference offering support, resources, services and education.
RJ Clearinghouse
Visit This Resource: www.rjclearinghouse.org
RJ Clearinghouse is a large, searchable database with information on legislation, programs, articles, and conferences throughout the country. It is hosted by the College of Law at the Georgia State University.
The 5 R's of Restorative Justice
Visit This Resource: https://secure.digital-community.com/english/lcjp.org/includes/downloads/5rs.pdf?PHPSESSID=92e2a0683558ab0dd2f0c7bdbaf5227c
Article by Colorado's own Beverly Title, Ph.D. on the 5 R's of Restorative Justice.
The International Institute of Restorative Practices
Visit This Resource: www.iirp.org
The International Institute of Restorative Practices is one of the primary sources for education and training on restorative justice.