Restorative Justice Dialogue

Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm through dialogue. Our Restorative Justice Dialogue (RJD) program brings people together to listen and talk about the harm caused when someone commits a crime. Participants get a chance to talk about:
  • What happened
  • Who was impacted, and
  • What must be done to move forward or repair harm.

RJD includes individuals who are harmed by crime, the individual who harmed them, and any other impacted family or community members. The goal is not to solve the issue or to determine guilt. Rather, the goal is to provide an opportunity for participants to engage in difficult conversations, deepen understanding, heal the harms caused, rebuild relationships, and use creative problem-solving. RJD is completely voluntary, separate from the court, and participation has no direct impact on sentencing.  ​
How Does it Work?
(1) Referral:
The Thurston County Superior Court refers people to the DRC who are interested in RJD. If you are not involved with the Thurston County Superior Court and you want to participate, just reach out to us and we may be able to help. 

(2) Intake:
The DRC will call you to explain the steps of the RJD process and listen to your reasons for wanting to participate. Below are key criteria that we explore with you to determine whether restorative justice is the right fit for you:
Voluntariness 
All participants must be internally motivated to engage in a dialogue, and anyone can decide that they no longer wish to participate in RJD at any point in the process.

Good faith
Participants must agree to act in good faith—a willingness to listen, share important information, and take in another perspective.  

Self-agency/determination
Participants must be empowered to speak freely and make choices in their own best interest.  
​
Readiness
Participants who harmed must demonstrate accountability or responsibility for their behavior or be motivated to make amends. Participants who were harmed must be willing to hear answers to their questions. ​
(3) Preparation:
RJD mediators meet with you individually first before participants talk to each other (1 hour). Mediators learn about your goals for the process, and coach you to help prepare you for a conversation. They will ask you questions like the following: Could you tell us what happened? How were you affected? Were others affected? Could you tell us what you’d like to say to the other participants?

(4) Conferencing:
You meet with other participants for a face-to-face (on Zoom or in-person) talk guided by the mediators (3 hours). Together, you decide how to repair the harm caused and whether you want these decisions in a written agreement. 

Q & A

Who facilitates the Dialogue
RJD mediators are certified DRC mediators who act as a neutral third-party.  Mediators are not judges, attorneys, advocates, or representatives of the court.

Two mediators work together to guide participants through every step of the RJD process, and participants decide what they want to talk about and how. 

Everybody is different, and every person responds to harm in their own way, so each conversation may look very different depending on each participant’s needs. Restorative justice conversations are fair and transparent processes to help people make their own decisions based on their own needs and goals.  ​
WHAT KIND OF QUESTIONS DOES THE PERSON HARMED WANT ANSWERED?
Every person is different, and everyone responds to crime differently. With that said, below are some common questions or reasons why victims of crime participate. 
  • Many persons who were harmed want to know more ​information about what happened and get their questions answered. For example, they may want to know "why me?"
  • Some persons who were harmed might want to know what led up to the incident happening. For example, they might want to know how you felt before, during, and after. Some victims may also want to know about your life before this happened, or how your life has been since.
  • Some people may want to know how you plan to go forward from this point, or if you've thought about ways to help heal some of the harm done.
  • Some people will want to talk about how this incident has felt to them. They may want to tell you about how their lives have changed or the pain they've felt.
  • Some may want an apology and others may not.
I WANT TO PARTICIPATE, BUT I 'M ALSO NERVOUS. IS THAT NORMAL?
Yes. It is a big step to open yourself up to a conversation, and it is very normal for all the participants to feel a bit nervous, afraid, or anxious, as well as many other feelings.

​While this process may not be comfortable or easy, our facilitators are certified mediators who are trained to make sure the process is fair and respectful, and they do their best to prevent further harm for participants. ​
WILL I GET GRILLED BY THE PERSON HARMED FOR WHAT I'VE DONE? WHAT IF THEY GET MAD?
It is normal for people who are victims of a crime to feel strong emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety, sadness, or disappointment, and it is healthy for victims to be able to talk about their emotions.

Our mediators are trained in conflict resolution, and they have years of experience. While they allow participants to express how they feel, mediators will help make sure this is done respectfully.

As one lead mediator put it, “I am not showing up to referee a boxing match. I am not there to create an opportunity to harm others. Critique is okay, but definitely not more harm.”  ​
DOES RESTORATIVE JUSTICE REQUIRE RESTITUTION?
No. Restitution might be something that participants agree to during their conversation, however, it is not expected or required. The outcomes and actions of your conversation must be mutually agreed upon by all participants. ​
WHAT IF THEY DONT ACCEPT MY APOLOGY? WHAT IF I DON'T ACCEPT THEIR APOLOGY?
The time participants have for a conversation is limited, and sometimes people will not be ready to accept an apology during that time. A sincere apology can still be meaningful, even if it is not accepted in that moment. It is important that you show up ready to express your feelings honestly, which can go a very long way.  ​

What Are the Benefits of Participating?

For the justice-involved participant, you may have the chance to: 
  • ​Take responsibility and accountability for past harms
  • understand what is was like for the person who was harmed
  • make things right for yourself and others
  • Process and let go of shame
  • Give input into what resolution or restoration looks like to make things right
  • Receive forgiveness potentially
  • ​Experience a sense of closure
​​
“I have had the chance to experience closure and reestablish a sense of personal power/safety.”  
– RJD participant ​
For the justice-involved participant, you may have the chance to:  
  • ​​Take responsibility and accountability for past harms 
  • Tell the other participant the impacts of the crime on you
  • Get answers to your questions
  • Have a wrong made right
  • Process and let go of hurt, anger, or shame
  • Reestablish a sense of personal safety
  • Receive an apology
  • Offer forgiveness
  • Experience a sense of closure​
​
“This was a great experience. It meant a lot to be able to talk with the participant and let them know I was sorry for what I did, and that I am doing my best to change. Thanks for giving me the opportunity.”  
– RJD participant 
CONTACT US
to begin the process or learn more about this program:

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