What are restorative practices?

Restorative Practices are a set of tools, developed out of the principles of Restorative Justice, that are used to build and repair relationships among community members, oftentimes serving as an alternative to punitive discipline.

Restorative Practices offer a way outside of the criminal justice system to address conflict and harm and promote community building. These practices can be used in any setting where people work and live together: schools, businesses, or community groups. This focus on learning makes these practices ideal for a school setting where adults and young people can work together to find creative and supportive ways to deal with the normal, and sometimes difficult, aspects of being part of a community.

Relation to restorative justice

Restorative Practices have grown from the principles of Restorative Justice, which is a community-based way of addressing crime and repairing harm that has been practiced in many cultures around the world for ages. In contrast to the modern-day criminal justice system, which is based on shame and punishment as a response to crime, Restorative Justice incorporates the values of inclusion, relationship, responsibility, and reparation as an approach to dealing with conflict and harm.

The intent, when used to address harm, is that the offender learns from the process and does not repeat the offense, and that the person who experienced harm receives what they need to move forward. Through a confidential and in-depth circle process, all parties involved in the crime have a chance to speak and be heard, and come to an agreement about how to move forward together. Restorative Justice often leads to a greater sense of resolution, satisfaction, and justice on all sides, offering an opportunity for healing and repair.