What is Restorative Justice at Instituto Justice Leadership Academy?

 

Restorative justice is a philosophy that sees members as belonging to a community where everyone is held accountable to repairing harm and building peace.

 

Restorative justice at IJLA is displayed and experienced in multiple ways. Staff and students at IJLA have been involved in restorative justice through peace circles, after school groups (CSA), poetry, and collaborative art projects.

 

To the staff and students at IJLA, restorative justice encourages a humanizing approach to building relationships, which requires everyone to:

 

• Listen and consider others’ perspectives

• View conflict as natural and not stigmatize those involved

• Treat others with respect, understanding, openness, and authentic empathy

 

Restorative justice has helped persons in a conflict express their thoughts and opinions without using intimidation. Restorative justice allows people to explain their perspectives until all parties come to a mutual understanding about the issue and agree on how to move forward.