What Is Restorative Justice?

Restorative Justice is a principle-driven approach to crimes and other harmful acts that provides opportunities for those most directly affected--offenders, those who suffered harms such as victims/survivors, families, and community members--to be directly involved in addressing the harms done to people, relationships, and a community's sense of safety and well-being.

Examples of restorative justice and restorative practices in the Milwaukee area include: community conferencing, victim/survivor-offender conferencing , circles (peacemaking, community building, and repairing harm), victim/survivor impact panels, and relevant community service by offenders.

Our religious traditions provide at least three foundational beliefs: that every person is of inherent worth and dignity, has the capacity to change, and deserves humane and compassionate treatment. Key elements of restorative justice processes that maximize the potential for change are respect and empathy.

Restorative Justice Committee

The Restorative Justice Committee of the Interfaith Conference, formed in November 2000, supports the above examples of restorative justice and and restorative practices. By representing persons involved in them, it provides a clearinghouse for information and opportunities for collaboration. Through its Speakers Bureau and its members' activities in the community, it is promoting awareness and use of restorative practices in our community.  We meet regularly at Birdie's Cafe, 4110 W. Martin Drive, Milwaukee.

For more information contact Betsy Gonwa, 414-259-0565 or bwgonwa@sbcglobal.net or contact the agencies listed below.

For more information on the various partners working with us on Restorative Justice click on the links below:

Benedict Center
Marquette Restorative Justice Initiative
Milwaukee County District Attorney Office
Milwaukee Public Schools
Peace Learning Center
Safe & Sound
Wisconsin Community Services

For directory of agencies doing Restorative Justice work in Wisconsin:

Wisconsin Restorative Justice Coalition Directory