Increasing the Use of Restorative Justice Models for Serious and Violent Offenses

• In Event: Restorative Justice in Cases of Serious Crimes

Abstract

Prosecutors are increasingly implementing diversion programs that embrace practices and principles based in restorative justice, but more research is needed to understand how those principles are being applied by prosecutors and the benefits of pitfalls of integrating restorative justice into criminal legal system settings. Further, although research suggests restorative justice is a promising approach to addressing harm and navigating conflict in cases of serious and violent harm for people of all ages, many diversion programs limit their eligibility criteria to lower-level offenses and/or youth and young adults. This paper presents methods and findings from a study of prosecutor-involved restorative justice diversion programs. The researchers fielded a survey of United States prosecutor’s offices to learn about the prevalence and design of prosecutor-involved restorative justice diversion programs for adults accused of serious and/or violent offenses, as well as case studies of select programs. Following the survey, the researchers selected promising programs in four sites and conducted case studies and evaluability assessments of the programs. This paper presents findings from the survey and case studies. These findings illuminate how prosecutors are implementing restorative practices and principles, and how commonly restorative justice is being used to divert adults charged with serious and/or violent offenses. The findings also lay out the facilitators and barriers to program success. Results will broaden the field’s understanding of the landscape of restorative justice programs addressing serious and violent offenses and support offices endeavoring to implement restorative justice diversion programs for serious and/or violent offenses.

Authors

• Lily Robin, Urban Institute

• Leigh Courtney, Urban Institute

• Andreea Matei, Urban Institute