restorative justice
Last updatedDefinition
According to the Restorative Justice Exchange Network, restorative justice is a response to wrongdoing that addresses the harm done to people, relationships, and communities as well as the criminal behavior. It involves accountability, with the goal of repairing harm and not being solely punitive. The concept in the United States has its roots in Indigenous cultures, though the term “restorative justice” is a Western one.
Per the nonprofit Communities for Restorative Justice, the concept has three main basic principles:
- Crime is a violation of people and relationships.
- Crime creates harms, needs, and obligations.
- Those most affected should be meaningfully included and empowered.
As the system of restorative justice may not be as widely understood as that of criminal justice, giving some explanation of the principles — and the concept’s potential benefits and limitations within the existing justice system — provides essential context for audiences.
Additional resources
- Racial Equity Tools Glossary (Racial Equity Tools)
- Glossary of Terms: Race, Equity and Social Justice (International City/County Management Association)
- A different path for confronting sexual assault (Vox)
Summary
Restorative justice is a theory that focuses on repairing harm caused by conflict and crime. The concept in the United States has its roots in Indigenous cultures, though the term “restorative justice” is a Western one. Giving some explanation of the principles — and the concept’s potential benefits and limitations within the existing justice system — provides essential context for audiences.