Making connections: assessing restorative justice processes and values in a juvenile justice diversion program
Abstract
Restorative justice (RJ) supplements traditional criminal justice processing because it serves as a way for offenders to make reparations and be restored back into the community. The exact definition of RJ is elusive and programs vary in the degree to which they hold up ideal processes and values of RJ. The purpose of this case study is to evaluate Community Connections, a unique juvenile justice diversion program based in Tallahassee, Florida. The main components of the program include restorative justice conferences, nonviolent communication classes, and closing connection circles. Using participant observation for two cycles of the program in 2021, I evaluate how well the program aligns with restorative justice processes and values. I end with a discussion of the implications its strengths and weaknesses have for the operation of RJ in the juvenile justice system.
Publication Title
Criminal Justice Studies
Recommended Citation
Keith, S. (2025). Making connections: assessing restorative justice processes and values in a juvenile justice diversion program. Criminal Justice Studies, 38 (2), 133-146. https://doi.org/10.1080/1478601X.2025.2508058
