What Is Restorative Justice?
The notion of restorative justice is an approach that focuses on the needs of both the victims and the offenders, as well as the involved community. It is an alternative to the pattern of punishment we see in the US system of justice. Some compare the concept with the Truth and Reconciliation movement in South Africa.
In restorative justice, crime and harm are understood in terms of the people and relationships impacted, rather than solely the law or rule that was broken. Restorative practices seek to repair harm through transformative encounters that enables reconciliation between the offender and victims.
Restorative Justice Resources
US Dept of Justice
https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/restorative-justice-overview
On wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restorative_justice
Restorative Justice Exchange
https://restorativejustice.org/what-is-restorative-justice/
Archdiocese San Francisco