We have compiled several working definitions of restorative justice as defined by professionals who have committed their entire careers to the philosophy.

“A Restorative Justice process is one in which the parties involved- the victim, offender and community members- are supported and voluntarily participate, with the assistance of a fair and impartial facilitator, in a discussion of the circumstances surrounding an offense. The purpose is to understand its underlying causes and the effects on those who have been harmed, and address the needs of the parties for healing and reparation.”

- Department of Justice, Canada

“Instead of focusing solely on the offender and defining justice as the placing of blame (guilt) and the administration of pain (punishment), restorative justice recognizes that crime results in harm to the victim, the community and the offender. Restorative justice seeks to right the wrong through meaningful accountability by the offender, restoring the losses, as much as possible, to all who have suffered due to the crime. Restorative justice is not a program or set of programs, but a guiding philosophical paradigm.”

- Marty Price, J.D., Co-Chair VOMA Board of Directors

“In short, restorative justice is a process through which remorseful offenders accept responsibility for their misconduct to those injured and to the community that, in response allows the reintegration of the offender into the community. The emphasis is on restoration: restoration of the offender in terms of his or her self-respect, restoration of the relationship between offender and victims, as well as restoration of both offenders and victims within the community.”

- Dr. John Haley, Professor of Law and International Studies at the University of Washington

“Viewed through a restorative justice lens, crime is a violation of people and relationships. It created obligations to make things right. Justice involves the victim, the offender, and the community in a search for solutions which promote repair, reconciliation and reassurance.”

- Dr. Howard Zehr, Professor of Sociology and Restorative Justice at Eastern Mennonite University

“Restorative Justice emphasizes the importance of elevating the role of crime victims and community members through more active involvement in the justice process, holding offenders directly accountable to the people and communities they have violated, restoring the emotional and material losses of victims, and providing a range of opportunities for dialogue, negotiation, and problem solving, whenever possible, which can lead to a greater sense of community safety, social harmony and peace for all involved.”

- Dr. Mark Umbreit, Professor and Executive Director at the Center for Restorative Justice and Peacemaking, University of Minnesota

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