Restorative Justice Facilitated Dialogue

Restorative Justice Facilitated Dialogue is a voluntary process that involves individuals harmed by crime, the individual who harmed them, and any other impacted family and community members.  Its goal is to provide an opportunity for participants to engage in difficult conversations in an effort to hear each other, deepen understanding, and heal the harms caused.

​What is Restorative Justice?

Restorative Justice emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior.  By working with those involved, a restorative justice approach can lead to transformation of people, relationships, and communities.

The intended outcome of the process is not to solve the issue at hand or determine guilt, but rather to create a space for deepening understanding, building shared awareness, generating trust, rebuilding relationships, and creative problem solving.

​A majority of program participants report improved relationships with family, friends, and the community. ​

What Are the Advantages?

For the person(s) who experienced harm:
  • Opportunity to meet with the Drug Court participant to address what happened
  • Chance to tell the participant the impacts of this crime
  • Chance to get answers to questions
  • Possibility of receiving a personal apology
  • Possibility to let go of hurt and anger
  • Opportunity to have a wrong made right
  • Chance to be able to forgive in-person
  • Chance to experience closure and reestablish a sense of personal safety

For the Drug Court participant:
  • Input into what restitution will be and how it will be paid or worked off (in addition to any court orders)
  • Possibility of working out non-monetary restitution
  • Chance to demonstrate to the court one’s willingness to be responsible
  • Opportunity to understand what it was like for the other party(ies) involved
  • Chance to make things right and increase self-esteem
  • Opportunity for possible forgiveness
  • Chance to get a sense of closure/resolution​
How Does it Work?
Referral:
Referrals will be made to the DRC by the Thurston County Drug Court program with input from various stakeholders.

Intake:
DRC Intake Specialists will contact each participant to gather information and determine if facilitated dialogue will be a good fit for their situation.

Preparation:
Facilitators will meet with each participant individually to help clarify interests and issues.
Participants will agree to act in good faith by being willing to listen, keep an open mind, share important information, and work together to restore the relationship.

Conferencing:
Facilitators will work to schedule a meeting where healing and closure can be achieved through addressing the concerns of each person.
Participants will be given equal opportunity to share their story, the impacts, and offer solutions for resolution.

Affordable solutions for resolutions.
We empower people to restore and build relationships.