Category: Restorative Justice Case Studies
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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…
Lindsey Pointer, Ph.D. 