“Restorative justice promotes values and principles that use inclusive, collaborative approaches for being in community. These approaches validate the experiences and needs of everyone within the community, particularly those who have been marginalized, oppressed, or harmed. These approaches allow us to act and respond in ways that are healing rather than alienating or coercive.” –Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz and Judy H. Mullet, (2015)

In this panel discussion students, educators and a psychiatric social worker come together to explore the principles and practice of restorative justice. The discussion will move from the realities of the school to prison pipeline, contrasting views of “justice,” and the need for restorative justice and better accountability in schools, to the vision of a holistic approach including long term goals to transform how conflict is addressed in schools and in the broader community. Finally, opportunities for involvement in the restorative justice movement will be offered.

In the words of three of our panelists:

“We’re here to talk about a paradigm shift that needs to happen in our schools and communities in order to make sure that all of our students, especially the most vulnerable and historically marginalized, have what they need in order to thrive.”

–Ariane White

–Grethel Vega

–Shadi Seyedyousef