Toward Consensus: Exploring Restorative Justice Programs in the United States

• In Event: Lessons in Restorative Justice

Abstract

Restorative justice (RJ) programs operate under a vast umbrella of definitions, processes, ideologies, and outcomes, leaving practitioners to navigate their practices with little theoretical guidance. Consequently, not all RJ programs are created equally. By applying a bottom-up approach, this study seeks to answer two research questions: First, where and how is RJ implemented by practitioners in the United States (US)? Second, can descriptions of tangible RJ programs in the US help to identify its underlying theoretical assumptions and contribute to the inductive construction of explicit RJ theory? This study employed a content analytic approach designed to describe stated meanings of RJ programs and practices as framed on program websites. Ultimately, 218 RJ programs were identified across 43 states with most programs housed in non-profit organizations and governmental agencies. Additionally, the data collected includes information on the types and length of practices, program size and staffing, and various program outcomes. Though the data illuminates RJ practices in the US, their goals, processes, and outcomes, program websites are often aimed toward clients and lack clarifying information, such as funding sources and practitioner training processes. Future research should focus on using practitioner perspectives to fill in theoretical gaps.

Author

• Tyeisha Fordham, Indiana University