RestorativeJusticeInAction.com is an outreach initiative that will encourage, inspire, and motivate individuals, public and private organizations, communities and municipalities to implement Restorative Justice Practices into their every day life. To that end this web site is dedicated.

• Restorative Justice is a philosophy based on principles that serve to guide the response to conflict or harm.
  

• Restorative Justice is not new, but derives from indigenous and aboriginal traditions from around the world.

• Restorative Justice Principles can guide responses to conflicts in many settings, not just caused by a violation of law. It places decisions in the hands of those who have been most affected by a wrongdoing, and gives equal concern to the victim, the offender, and the surrounding community.

• Restorative response to crime and conflict, such as peace-making circles, are designed to repair the harm, heal broken relationships, and address the underlying reasons for the offense.
  

-This material was edited from information made available by the Community Justice for Youth Institute. An expanded definition can be found on the CJYI website: here.

Restorative Justice in Action is a 10 part series exploring restorative justice in Cook County. The 30 minute shows were broadcast on the Chicago Access Network. The shows are moderated by Presiding Judge Sophia H. Hall. The shows were independently produced by William Gadomski and Nick Angotti, and coordinated by Peter Newman.

"The purpose of these shows is to bring attention to the different models and practices of restorative justice and why restorative justice is an important step in reducing crime, diminishing recidivism, while restoring our communities to a culture of cooperation and peaceful coexistence. " - Peter Newman

Restorative Justice in Action highlights the practices, challenges and achievements of selected members of the Chicago" City-Wide Restorative Justice Committee", as well as the strides of educators, jurists, social services workers, advocates, community leaders and others dedicated to changing the way society approaches injustice, incarceration and education.

Restorative Justice in Action guests are individual practitioners working in the field of restorative justice: former inmates and gang leaders, sociologists, criminologists, school administrators, lawyers, judiciaries, various department leaders in the juvenile justice system, advocates and activists and lay people telling of their progress in the different modalities of restorative justice and related fields. We also have educators, members of the Chicago Public School Administration Board, and other community leaders dedicated to changing the way society approaches injustice, incarceration and education.

The City Wide Restorative Justice Committee has been meeting quarterly since September 1999, following passage of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act (Jan.1999), which specifically mentions community participation in using the principles of balanced and restorative justice in responding to youth who commit offenses.

The purpose of the Citywide Restorative Justice Committee is to:

1. Discuss what it means for communities to restore the peace through balanced and restorative justice,
2. Share the efforts of the committee members who are pursuing activities in the name of balanced and restorative justice, and
3. Discuss ways for committee members to help each other to assist communities to establish balanced and restorative justice responses to youth who violate rules or the law. [Judge Sophia H. Hall]
   
   

Restorative Justice in Action.com is supported and maintained by,
Transcendence Global Media, NFP

Transcendence Global Media is a not-for-profit organization actively involved in creating a more peaceful society, through local and national media efforts. The organization promotes peace, nonviolence, and social justice among people of all ages, cultures and backgrounds, through research, education and action.

"Peace is …a process of gradually changing opinions, slowly eroding old barriers, and quietly building new structures."

President John Fitzgerald Kennedy

CONTACT INFORMATION
Transcendence Global Media, NFP
Nick Angotti Exec Director:
Link to Contact