Restorative Justice

Restorative Practices and Restorative Justice 

Restorative philosophy is rooted in and informed by Indigenous community-building practices. It offers a relational approach to culture-building and conflict resolution.

Proactively, Restorative Practices cultivate a culture of empathy, introspection, shared decision-making, and the valuing of multiple perspectives.
Responsively, Restorative Justice brings together those impacted by harm to foster mutual understanding, accountability, and collective healing. These processes aim to transform conflict into opportunities for deeper connection and growth.

Core principles of a Restorative approach include the belief that all people:

• Seek healthy relationships;
  
• Require a sense of belonging to thrive;
  
• Need to feel seen and heard to feel included;
  
• Are more likely to reflect on the impact of their actions when challenged by those they trust;
  
• Can take accountability when supported through collaborative reflection and perspective-taking.

Proactive Restorative processes (e.g., Circles) invite participants to:

• Share core values and co-create group agreements;
  
• Foster a brave space for open, heartfelt dialogue;
  
• Connect through storytelling and reflection on multiple truths.

Responsive Restorative processes (e.g., Circles of Support and Accountability and Community Conferences) focus on: 

• Repairing relationships over assigning blame and punishment;
  
• Creating space for those harmed to express and process pain, anger, or confusion;
  
• Understanding the context behind harmful behaviors;
  
• Supporting individual and collective accountability and long-term healing;
  
• Strengthening communities through reintegration based on respect, reciprocity, and collective responsibility.

Restorative Justice Initiative at MCDC

The Mediation Center’s Restorative Justice Initiative provides support in:

• Organizational culture transformation;
  
• Community-based conflict resolution;
  
• System-wide Restorative implementation;
  
• Education and mentorship in Restorative philosophy and practice.
  

We serve community organizations, businesses, schools, higher education institutions, families, neighbors, and individuals. Our services are tailored to the context and needs of each community and offer constructive approaches to preventing and addressing social, cultural, and environmental conflict.

A central focus of our initiative is the application of Restorative philosophy in educational settings. In schools and youth programs, Restorative Practices give young people opportunities to:

• Be heard and valued;
  
• Share emotions and process experiences with peers and trusted adults;
  
• Build strong relationships;
  
• Engage in collaborative problem-solving.
  

Ready to explore Restorative Practices?

Email RJTeam@dutchessmediation.org to be connected with the Restorative Justice Team.

Our youth related programs and partnerships are funded by Dutchess County.