Demystifying Restorative Practices

Last week I held the first Restorative Weekend of the year. So, I wanted to set the ball rolling with something which is informative, and I thought what would be better than introducing restorative practices. 

To better utilize the time, I divided the session into three parts: to define what restorative practices (RP) are, how are they different from restorative justice (RJ), and what values does it promote.  

Yes, RP and RJ are not the same. However, they are linked. 

We started with a quick check-in on how we were doing.

We then discussed the relationship between RP and RJ. RP has its roots in RJ, a way of looking at criminal justice that emphasizes repairing the harm done to people and relationships rather than only punishing offenders. RJ is limited to the criminal justice system while RP takes the values of RJ and implements them to different areas of our lives. Some of which I have myself explored, like RP in schools, families, workplace, and environment. In a way we can say, RJ is a subset of RP as it applies to limited settings.

The word ‘restorative’ refers simply to restoring or repairing to original position. These practices are ingrained with certain positive and meaningful values that promote healing, empowerment, a holistic approach, inclusion, and a focus on all.

The International Institute for Restorative Practices defines RP as “an emerging social science that studies how to strengthen relationships between individuals as well as social connections within communities”. Its values make RP aim at building social capital and achieving social solidarity through participatory learning and decision-making. Social capital can be looked at in two ways, one as key parties who are engaged in such processes, that is, we humans, and second, our engagement with each other. Social capital, thus, is the strengthening of social members and their interaction with each other to prevent harm, manage harm positively, and rebuild relationships post harms. 

RP comprises of different formal and informal processes that create and sustain a culture of care filled with respect and dignity, responsibility and obligations, trusting and nurturing relationships leading to building stronger communities. It also encompasses the ability to repair relationships when harm has occurred. 

For me, it changes the way people engage with one another. I prefer to call it a Mindset as well as an Approach.

Lastly, we also deliberated upon the values it promotes.

RP are oriented towards community building, creating a fair process, constructing positive relationships, preventing and repairing harm, and enabling social and emotional learning. But how do they do that? 

They do that by perpetuating the fusion of psychological safety and restorative justice. It delves deeper into emotions to enable social-emotional learning. It values humans and human relationships more. It endorses security, accountability, empathy, acceptance, belonging, healing, and growth within our communities. 

It keeps reminding us that relationships and humans come first. 

Each of these values require a detailed discussion on what they mean and how they can be adopted. Stay connected to know more about this and how to apply these in your life.

If you wish to read something really good on restorative practices, please write to: akankshamarwah1593@gmail.com.