Category: Restorative Justice Case Studies
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Restorative Justice and #MeToo
The New York Times recently published an opinion piece titled #MeToo Doesn’t Always Have to Mean Prison. It is an excellent article that highlights the benefits of making a restorative justice response available to those who have experienced sexual harm. As the article notes, “#MeToo rightly emphasizes victims’ healing and accountability for the people who harmed them.…
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How Can Circles Benefit Spiritual Communities?
About a month ago, a local church approached our team about how they could implement restorative practices in their community. They are a very diverse church with many English language learners who have recently moved to New Zealand from other countries. Especially because of these language and cultural barriers, it can be difficult for all…
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Sustained Restorative Dialogue – Understanding and Preventing Sexual Harm on Campus
Over the past two years, Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) has taken significant steps towards becoming a Restorative University. This has involved the use of restorative processes both in a reactive way, as a response to misconduct or incidents of harm, and a proactive way, in order to build community, enhance belonging and mutual responsibility,…
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Can Restorative Justice Counter Harmful Narratives of Masculinity?
Type of process: Restorative Justice Conference Conference Participants: Impacted Party (Victim) – Peter Responsibly Party (Offender) – Nathan Friend – Jake 2 Facilitators Possible Criminal Charges: Sexual Assault Referring agent: University counseling staff Factual Synopsis: Nathan sexually assaulted Peter at a party. Narrative: Peter and Nathan had been friends for a long time. They grew up together and chose…
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Is Restorative Justice effective for Sexual Assault?
Type of process: Restorative Justice Conference Conference Participants: Impacted Party (Victim) – Cindy Cindy’s Support Person- Amber Responsibly Party (Offender) – Luke Luke’s Support Person – Zane Head of Hall – Ray 2 Facilitators Possible Criminal Charges: Sexual Assault Referring agent: University Residential Life staff Factual Synopsis: Luke sexually assaulted Cindy. Narrative: The use of restorative justice for…
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The Power of Asking “What Happened?”
I recently had a pre-conference with man in his mid-forties who had been described to me as “prickly and difficult.” He had accosted two university staff members after not getting the outcome he wanted and was still very much so dwelling in the anger of the encounter, unable to take responsibility for his own negative…
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Video: Mock Restorative Justice Process
Please note that both the pre-conference and the conference processes are significantly shorter than they would be in real life. In real life, each meeting is generally at least twice as long as shown, giving the opportunity to ask additional questions to dive deeper into the incident, impacts and needs. In real life, participants would also…
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How can the circle manage power differences between participants?
Type of process: Circle Conference Participants: 2 Students – Shane and Brian Student Advocate – Elizabeth Professor – Paul 2 Facilitators Referring agent: Student Advocate Factual Synopsis: A dispute over the grading of an assignment between a professor and two students expanded into an interpersonal conflict and rumors that damaged the students’ reputations within the department with other…
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How Can Restorative Justice respond to a case like prostitution that lacks a clear “victim”?
Type of process: Restorative Justice Conference Conference Participants: Responsibly Party –Tori Impacted Party- Kate (roommate) Hall Manager- Cheryl 2 Facilitators Disciplinary Measure Pending: Being evicted from the Residential Hall Referring agent: University Residential Life staff Factual Synopsis: Tori was prostituting herself out of the dorm room she shared with Kate. *Note that in New Zealand prostitution is not illegal,…
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How does restorative justice counter biases?
Over the last couple months, I have started interviewing restorative justice facilitators as part of my research. The insight I have gained from these conversations has been incredible and I look forward to sharing more as I write up my findings. Most of the facilitators I have interviewed are in New Zealand, but I am…
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How do you design a circle process?
For some conflicts and wrongdoings, a traditional restorative justice conference process with clear victim and offender roles may not be appropriate or necessary. Sometimes multiple people are both responsible for harm and have experience harm. For example, at the university, there is a lot of conflict around every day things like a messy shared apartment…
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How Can Restorative Justice Improve Relationships and Communication?
Type of process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender- George Hall Manager- Daisy RA/Impacted Party- Jonathan 2 Facilitators Disciplinary Measure Pending: In the worst case, being evicted from the Residential Hall for assault Referring agent: University Residential Life staff Factual Synopsis: What started as George teasing his RA Jonathan about his outfit escalated when George shoved Jonathan. George…
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What can you do when a Restorative Justice Conference isn’t an appropriate response?
Type of process: Connection Circle Conference Participants: Hall Managers- Joy and Ellie Returning RAs- Beth, Sorren, Larry 2 Facilitators Referring agent: University Residential Life staff Narrative: This case began as a restorative justice referral after the Hall Managers (Joy and Ellie) were informed by members of their RAs staff that three of the RAs (Sorren,…
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How Does Restorative Justice Help Offenders Avoid a Downward Spiral?
Type of process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender- Micah Hall Manager- Lauren RAs/Impacted Parties- John, Paul and Beth 2 Facilitators Disciplinary Measure Pending: Being evicted from the Residential Hall Referring agent: University Residential Life staff Factual Synopsis: While suffering from extreme stress in his school, work, and relationship life, Micah drank to the point of severe intoxication in his…
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How Does Restorative Justice Bring Offenders into Community Instead of Pushing Them Out?
Type of process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender- Matt Hall Manager- Lauren RAs/Impacted Parties- John, Paul and Isaac 2 Facilitators Disciplinary Measure Pending: Being kicked out of the Residential Hall for drug possession and consumption Referring agent: University Residential Life staff Factual Synopsis: Matt and a friend took LSD and returned to Matt’s residential…
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How Effective is Restorative Justice When Followed by a Punitive Sentence?
When I first arrived in Wellington, everyone was discussing a (then un-named) university employee who had stolen almost $500,000 from the university through submitting invoices for a fake company that she had created and then awarded contracts. The company had a fake email address and payment information routed to her personal account. Here is a…
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What Impact Does Restorative Justice Have on University Dorm Community?
Type of Process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender –Ron Offender Support/Impacted Parties- Ron’s best friend (Shane) and ex-girlfriend (Lizzie) 4 Residential Advisors who were involved in the incident (Lucy, Wes, Toby, and James) 1 Hall Manager (Meg) 2 Facilitators Criminal Charges Pending: None (Note to readers from the United States: the drinking age in…
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How Does Restorative Justice Interact with Homelessness and Mental Illness?
Type of process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender –Joseph (64) 2 Facilitators 2 Community Members 1 Police Officer (Officer Johnson) Criminal Charges Pending: Fourth degree arson Referring agent: Police Department Factual Synopsis: A 64-year-old homeless man was cooking on a makeshift stove in a trailer he was squatting in and accidentally started a fire, causing…
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What is the Difference Between Guilt and Shame?
Type of process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender- Elizabeth (16) Offender Support- Elizabeth’s mother (Sarah) Offender- Ann (16) Offender Support- Ann’s father (Joe) and Joe’s girlfriend (Jenna) 2 Facilitators 2 Community Members Kohl’s Loss Prevention Officer Criminal Charges Pending: Theft (misdemeanor) Referring agent: Police Department Factual Synopsis: Two 16-year-olds stole clothing and jewelry from Kohl’s.…
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Can Restorative Justice Overcome a Family Culture of Crime?
Type of process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender –Karin (17) Offender Support- Karin’s mother (Jackie) 2 Facilitators 2 Community Members Police Officer Criminal Charges Pending: Theft (misdemeanor) Referring agent: Police Department Factual Synopsis: A 17-year-old was with her mother and two younger siblings at Walmart. They filled the shopping cart with $950 of merchandise and…
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How can Restorative Justice Unify Community Resources?
Type of process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender –Dustin (11) Offender Support- Dustin’s mother Victim- Joy 2 Facilitators 2 Community Members Community Service/Restitution Coordinator Police Officer Criminal Charges Pending: Vandalism, Throwing Missiles (Criminal Mischief) Referring agent: Police Department Factual Synopsis: An eleven-year-old boy ran away from school and damaged a teacher’s car by throwing a…
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Can the Restorative Justice Process Be Modified to Fit Individual Needs?
Type of Process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender –Tanner (13) Offender Support- Tanner’s mother 2 Facilitators 2 Community Members Police Officer Criminal Charges Pending: Vandalism Referring Agent: Police Department Factual Synopsis: A thirteen-year-old boy with learning disabilities damaged window screens at his school. Narrative: The standard model for restorative justice conferences involves the participants sitting…
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Is Restorative Justice Effective for Felony Level Crimes?
Type of process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender –Tyler (26) 3 Victims- Dr. Hay and his wife (Amy), Madeline (the clinic manager) 2 Facilitators (staff) 2 Community Members (2 volunteers) 1 Police Officer (Officer Peters) Criminal Charges Pending: Felony Possession and Forgery Referring agent: Police Department Factual Synopsis: A 26-year-old male working at a medical…
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Can Restorative Justice Help Teach Empathy?
Type of process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender –Wes (13) Offender Support- Wes’ Parents 2 Facilitators 2 Community Members (1 adult, 1 youth) Police Officer Criminal Charges Pending: Discharging a Weapon Referring agent: Police Department Factual Synopsis: A thirteen-year-old boy fired his BB gun several times from the roof of his house. He shot at…
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How does Restorative Justice impact the relationship between victim and offender?
Type of process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender –Les (36) Victims- Sheryl and Tom (A married couple in their late 60s) 2 Facilitators 2 Community Members Police Officer Criminal Charges Pending: Reckless Endangerment Referring agent: Police Department Factual Synopsis: A thirty-five year old man accidentally discharged his gun in his house. The bullet went through…
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Can an offender be referred to Restorative Justice more than once?
Type of process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender –Linda (18) 2 Facilitators (1 staff, 1 volunteer) 2 Community Members (1 staff, 1 volunteers) Police Officer Criminal Charges Pending: Theft Referring agent: Police Department Factual Synopsis: An eighteen-year-old girl stole some clothing items from Kohl’s. She had been referred to restorative justice two years before for…
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How (and Why) Does Restorative Justice Repair Harm to Self?
Type of process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender –Brian (15) Offender Support- Brian’s mother 2 Facilitators 2 Community Members Police Officer Diversion Officer Criminal Charges Pending: Resisting Arrest Referring agent: Juvenile Diversion Program Factual Synopsis: A fifteen year old boy resisted arrest when he was stopped by an officer for a curfew violation. He was…
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How is the Outcome of Restorative Justice Different from the Traditional Court System?
Type of process: Community Group Conference Conference Participants: Offender –Maddie (14) Offender Support- Maddie’s mother 2 Facilitators 2 Community Members 2 Animal Control Police Officers Criminal Charges Pending: Animal Abuse Referring agent: Police Department Factual Synopsis: Two fourteen-year-old girls took a pet chinchilla to the park and filmed themselves making it “swim” in the creek. Maddie’s…
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Is Restorative Justice Effective for Adult Offenders?
Type of process: Community Group Conference (CGC) Conference Participants: Offender – Joel (24) Offender Support- Lila Victim –Violet (grandmother) Victim – Sally (granddaughter) 2 Facilitators 2 Community Members Police Officer Criminal Charges Pending: Harassment Referring agent: Police Department Factual Synopsis: A young man mistakenly called a grandmother and granddaughter thinking he was calling another driver he…
Lindsey Pointer, PhD 