How I define Restorative Justice
Values
Restorative justice is a cultural way of being. I acknowledge its origins from indigenous communities (pre-dating western society) and the 'first harm' of settler colonialism that is ongoing.*
Restorative values are best articulated through the South African core belief in ubuntu**:
I am because we are.
Restoration emphasizes interconnection, relationships and community harmony.
Basic outcomes:
Identify harm
What is need to heal
Accountability to do so
Response
Restorative responses actively address the disruption conflict and harm create in communities.
Traditional, adversarial, passive responses to harm emphasize the past, person + punishment. Us vs. them.
Restorative, community responses center the harm itself, future + repair. We and us.
Repair
Practices include:
Community building to prevent conflict or escalation.
Conference/Circle: Engage in group dialogue to share impacts of harm for those involved and broader community. Identify what is needed to move forward, developing action plans through group consensus.
Circle of Support + Accountability: Partners coming together to support the needs of individuals re-entering their communities (where applicable).
*Valandra, E. C., & Hoksila, W. W. (2020). Undoing The First Harm: Settlers in Restorative Justice. In Colorizing Restorative Justice. Living Justice Press. **Davis, F. E. (2019). The Little Book of Race and Restorative Justice. Good Books.