News & Announcements
- Details
- Written by Joshua Wachtel
“
When they use restorative practices, professionals suddenly get back their self-esteem,” says Vidia Negrea, director of Community Service Foundation of Hungary (CSF Hungary), in Budapest. “They see how worthy their work can be.”
Negrea was appointed this month by the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) Board of Trustees as its newest member.
“I think of the IIRP as a restorative institution,” says Negrea. “The whole IIRP is a model of thinking and living in a restorative way. Even when the crises within politics and government make me very depressed, when I practice and people feel the effects of restorative practices, they start to regain their trust in themselves and the world.”
- Details
- Written by Joshua Wachtel
photo by Kris Krug at FlickrAcross the state of Vermont, nearly 50 serious offenders, who are considered high-risk to reoffend, are meeting weekly with small teams of volunteers who have signed on to hold them accountable for their past criminal behavior and to support them to become contributing members of society. These offenders have very little family and community support, and Circles of Accountability, or CoSAs, are formed around the released offenders to help them make the transition back to the community.
For Derek Miodownik, Community and Restorative Justice Executive for Vermont Department of Corrections (DoC), the main issue is how the justice system and corrections can help reinstate the social contract. On the one hand, the community needs to know that it will be safe from further harm. On the other hand, offenders need to understand the benefits to them of becoming rehabilitated citizens.
- Details
- Written by Joshua Wachtel
Dominique Smith, school social worker at Health Sciences High and Middle College in San Diego, California, received the National School Safety Award, presented by the School Safety Advocacy Council to his school, which was recognized for improvements made through the use of restorative practices.Schools
San Francisco Unified School District has cut suspensions by half with restorative practices, and continues to work on reducing the racial disparity gap. Plus, a podcast on restorative practices at SFUSD's Rosa Parks Elementary School and restorative justice in California prisons.
"The number of discipline incidents at St. Louis Park High School (Minnesota) has declined dramatically in the last five years ... according to Supt. Rob Metz. '[Restorative practices] has changed everything at the high school,' Metz said ... . “We’re passed the days of feeling obligated to do the consequence … If there’s any way to restore the relationship, we want that to happen."
- Details
- Written by Joshua Wachtel
Nicola Preston wears many hats, but they all involve restorative practices. She's a lecturer at the IIRP teaching online courses and a special education needs coordinator for a UK primary (elementary) school. She says that restorative practices have even made a big impact in her personal and family life.
- Details
- Written by Joshua Wachtel
Educational associate Harik Cofer didn’t “buy into” restorative practices at first. “Why would I do that fluffy stuff?” In his position — similar to middle school assistant principal — at National Academy Foundation School, in Baltimore, he was focused on closing the achievement gap through curriculum and academics. “Little did I know that if I did the community building first I could exceed expectations.”
Cofer says his school is probably one of the better educational institutions in Baltimore City, but there are still plenty of problems. In particular, he laments the loss of feelings of pride and community kids used to have about school.
- Details
- Written by IIRP Staff
An invitation to students, parents, teachers and community organizations
Introduction to Restorative Practices – An Educational Workshop
Two dates: 8:30 am–3:30 pm, Saturday, August 16 or 8:30 am–3:30 pm, Tuesday, August 26
Location: John Bartram High School, 2401 S. 67th St., Philadelphia, PA 19142
- Details
- Written by Joshua Wachtel
Natalie Medina, an actor who also teaches theater to youth in Panama with Fundación Amaneceres, discusses why kids like the combination of theater and circles, the importance of the talking piece and a play young refugees developed inspired during a circle discussion.
- Details
- Written by Joshua Wachtel
IIRP Trainer Lee Rush during a Training of Trainers in Jamaica. Slain peace worker Mohan Bunwarrie is second from Rush's left.“My goal is to make Jamaica a restorative country,” said Carol Palmer, Permanent Secretary of the Jamaican Ministry of Justice. “I know this vision is grand and beyond one generation. But I believe we can do something to change the fact that too many Jamaicans do not know how to settle differences and disputes peacefully, and instead perpetuate violence amongst each other and our communities.”
Last year, Jamaica, as a key component of implementing its National Restorative Justice Policy, opened seven Community Restorative Justice Centers working officially in 11 communities. In their first phase of implementation, these centers have begun to address community conflicts and complaints outside the formal justice system.
- Details
- Written by Joshua Wachtel
When teenagers turn to drugs and alcohol in ways that damage their lives and relationships, it’s challenging to help them turn their lives around. The choice to use alcohol and drugs can mask other underlying issues, including shame and other painful emotions, and can be exacerbated by the difficulties of communication. This article explores how everyday language can be used within a restorative framework to help parents of teens struggling with drug abuse and addiction to reintegrate in a healthy way with their families, schools, friends and communities.
Drug and alcohol counselor Elizabeth Smull, who has worked primarily with teens struggling with addiction and their families, uses the full range of restorative practices on a daily basis, especially many of the more informal practices, such as affective statements and questions. Beyond using these techniques, Smull actively teaches those she works with how to use these techniques themselves. This begins immediately after a teen has returned home from a drug and alcohol rehabilitation program or has been court-ordered to a period of juvenile probation.
- Details
- Written by Joshua Wachtel
Schools
A major report by the Council of State Governments, in support of the US Justice and Education Departments' national school discipline guidelines, shows that the consensus on school discipline "among students, parents, teachers, school administrators, specialized staff, behavioral health professionals, police, probation, court officials, juvenile correctional administrators, and many other expert advisors" includes restorative practices as a core feature. (See p. 4 of the report or 29 of 461 in the pdf.)
The National Education Association supports "Sowing Empathy and Justice in Schools Through Restorative Practices."
Educational Leadership publishes "The Power of the Circle" by the IIRP's Laura Mirsky, about the great work being done at Harding Middle School in Philadelphia, PA.
Restorative Works Year in Review 2023 (PDF)
All our donors are acknowledged annually in Restorative Works.