Restorative Justice

Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm and restoring relationships.

Restorative justice seeks to prevent future violence or disruption by finding responses to law-breaking behavior that are proportionate, meaningful, and enforce accountability.

Through our relationships with tribal communities, where many restorative practices originated, the Center for Court Innovation launched peacemaking programs in Red Hook and Syracuse. The Center supports community-led mediation and violence prevention at the Crown Heights Mediation Center, and uses a peer-led and problem-solving approach to youth justice with its youth courts. We are also implementing school-wide restorative justice programs in five Brooklyn public high schools. Our research department will be evaluating the effectiveness of those programs, with a focus on disparities related to race and disability. The Center is committed to testing new restorative approaches to justice and shares lessons learned with jurisdictions around the world.

PBS NewsHour profiles the work of our Restorative Justice in Schools program.

Initiatives

Peacemaking Program

Building on a traditional Native American approach to justice, the Center’s peacemaking programs focus on healing and community restoration rather than punishment.
Restorative Justice in Schools

We've implemented restorative justice programs in five New York City high schools aimed at strengthening relationships school-wide.

Publications & Digital Media

Audio
Designing Decarceration: Architect Deanna Van Buren

by Matthew Watkins

On our New Thinking podcast, the Oakland-based architect explains her firm’s mission to use design to counter incarceration and promote the use of restorative justice. She also discusses her work on our Near Westside Peacemaking Center in Syracuse, N.Y.

Diversion, Restorative Justice
Publication
Inspired by Peacemaking: Creating Community Based Restorative Programs in State Courts

by Erika Sasson and Nora Sydow

This document describes the Native American method of peacemaking—a non-adversarial form of justice focusing on restoration and the long-term healing of relationships—and offers detailed guidelines for implementation by state courts.

Restorative Justice, Tribal Justice
Publication
Can Restorative Practices Address Intimate Partner Violence? Summary of a Roundtable Discussion

by Erika Sasson

In May 2016, victim advocates, restorative justice practitioners, tribal peacemakers, prosecutors, federal policymakers, and others came together in Santa Fe, N.M., to discuss whether and how restorative practices could be used to safely and effectively respond to intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and dating violence. This document synthesizes a complex discussion into a series of themes for future reflection and planning around the issues raised.

Domestic Violence, Restorative Justice, Tribal Justice

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News

Restorative Justice Programs That Work

September 14, 2018
NationSwell

As part of a feature on approaches to justice "that emphasize communication over incarceration," a profile of our youth court at the Red Hook Community Justice Center.
Can Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Help Juvenile Defendants?

August 15, 2018
Crime Report

A feature on helping young people avoid involvement with the justice system highlights our work operating restorative justice programs in five New York City high schools with elevated suspension rates.
This Chicago Court Uses Peace Circles To Dole Out Justice

June 19, 2018
WBEZ

A report on our Community Court Grant Program partner, the Restorative Justice Community Court, and its work, inspired by the Red Hook Community Justice Center, to create a new form of accountability for youthful defendants on Chicago's West Side.

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