Source: University of Michigan Office of Student Conflict Resolution

Restorative Justice Circles (or Conferences) are highly structured processes that are based on and rooted in indigenous practices. Restorative Justice Circles provide an opportunity for community members to come together to address harmful behavior in a process that explores harms and needs and a path toward accountability and repair. “Restorative Justice” is a philosophy of justice as well as a specific set of practices that bring together those who experienced harm with those who caused harm to “make things right.”

Who’s involved?

• **Person(s) who caused harm—**the individual(s) whose actions have harmed or affected others
• **Impacted People—**those who were directly harmed or affected by what happened
• **Affected People—**others who’ve been affected by what happened
• **Supporting People—**people who would like to attend the circle to support one or more participants in the circle
• **Facilitators—**trained facilitators who facilitate the process

What takes place at a Restorative Justice Circle?

Restorative Justice processes bring all participants together to meet, talk about what happened, and settle on a plan to repair the harm.

In a typical Restorative Justice Circle or Conference:

• The facilitator holds and sets the space by welcoming all participants.
• Each person introduces themself and their relationship to what happened.
• People who have caused harm share what happened before, during, and after the incident, and how they feel about what happened.
• Impacted and Affected Participants share what happened before, during, and after the incident, how they feel about what happened, and any questions they have.
• Supporting Participants are invited to share any thoughts or feelings about what they’ve heard.
• Facilitators ask questions to help guide the process. Facilitators are multipartial, rather than impartial or neutral. This means they are equitably partial to everyone involved in the process. Facilitators will act to ensure that all participants have the opportunity to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences about the conflict as well as what could be done to make things better.
• Once everyone has shared their thoughts and feelings about what happened, the group will brainstorm options for repairing the harm. The group decides which options could best repair the harm and those who caused harm share what they are willing to do to repair it.
• If the group chooses to create a written agreement, the facilitators will record and compile the agreement, which is signed by all participants.
• The facilitators provide formal closure to the process.