Restorative justice is an on-going journey and can take a long time. Along with the successes and positive experiences, there have also been challenges and can be a difficult journey. Among those successes and challenges are some themes.

 

Successes

 

Consideration and Understanding

 

Through involvement in restorative justice practices students have attained a positive change in mindset. Students have come to be considerate and humanizing towards others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Before I didn’t think about other people’s feelings too but now it’s not always about me.”

- Student

 

“...I used to show anger, fierceness, blowing up, I stop to think about other outcomes that can happen. I think about sitting down and talking to the other person…” - Student

 

De-escalating the Conflict

 

Some students have reached a point where they can address issues within their own community and work on the de-escalation of conflict.

 

“Here, I had a verbal conflict that could have escalated , we talked it out, it’s a big relief.”

- Student

  

Repairing Relationships and Building Community

 

Both students and staff have been able to build community and repair broken or damaged relationships with one another through restorative justice practices.

 

“We do a circle every Thursday in my familia - building community - makes the classroom on the other days of the week, there is more openness, more comfortable, talk about issues we wouldn’t normally be able to - yesterday, a student asked about how to deal with a situation with her boyfriend. It’s not always about dealing with conflict, also building community and preventing conflict.” - Staff

 

“I’ve had restorative conversations with students when I’ve had a conflict with them - usually, we have come out stronger and closer with those students…” - Staff

 

“My experiences get stronger and stronger, with each outcome of different conflicts, it gives chills or a rush, it amazes me what restorative justice can do, what can the outcome of a peace circle be - to turn people who are the worse enemies, who hate each other, to sit together at lunch, to do projects together, to ask for help. Everyday - I think about it more, just a few years ago - I was a lot worse than what I am now.” - Student

 

“Because it (restorative justice) helps, it’s stronger and more methodized, keeping our community whole instead of getting other people involved, we take matters into our own hands…” - Student

 

“...When students could have caused more harm to the school - they have addressed the school during forum…” - Staff

 

Challenges

 

Initial Resistance

 

Restorative justice isn’t something that anyone and everyone can cozy up to so easily, both students and and staff have initially struggled with working with restorative justice practices.

 

“At first I thought it wasn’t going to work - I didn’t think we could just talk it out.” - Student

 

“My first circle with a student - I should not be on the same level, they’ve transgressed, they should do some restorative justice with themselves before they come back, it was a humbling experience for me.” - Staff

 

“I didn’t think it was going to change anything.” - Student

 

“There was no next one (peace circle) - I wanted the restorative justice not to be needed in my life.” - Student

 

Emotionally Overwhelming

 

For some students, restorative justice practices evoke a lot of emotion and may be too much to handle.

 

“I still didn’t like it because they always made me cry, made me think about my past so it’s overwhelming but at the end - it was satisfying releasing hurt built up inside me that I was covering up - opening up to someone and knowing that they’re there for you.” - Student

 

“I didn’t like it - it is annoying - you have to see the person’s face when you want to punch them.” - Student

 

Perceived Mismatch of Values and Behavior

 

While many students have positive perspectives on restorative justice, there are a some who have negative perspectives about it.

 

“I already knew what that was. I already cared about people - when I got here it matched my values but then teachers, the workers, principals, they were acting shiesty - they saying one thing and doing another, if anything it made me hate people more - I don’t know, I’m trying hard not to hate people.” - Student

 

“Changed me for the worse - I thought people who were restorative justice were better than they really are - I thought they were more mature, in reality - they’re only going to care about their type of people, being restorative justice shouldn’t hate other people.” - Student