Restorative Justice Signposts:

We are working toward restorative justice when we…

1…focus on the harms of wrongdoing more than the rules that have been broken,

2…show equal concern and commitment to victims and offenders, involving both in the process of justice,

3…work toward the restoration of victims, empowering them and responding to their needs as they see them,

4…support offenders while encouraging them to understand, accept and carry out their obligations,

5…recognize that while obligations may be difficult for offenders, they should not be intended as harms and they must be achievable,

6.…provide opportunities for dialogue, direct or indirect, between victims and offenders as appropriate,

7…involve and empower the affected community through the justice process, and increase its capacity to recognize and respond to crime

8…encourage collaboration and reintegration rather than coercion and isolation,

9…give attention to the unintended consequences of our actions

10…show respect to all parties including victims, offenders & the community

Crime wounds … justice heals

 -Harry Mika and Howard Zehr