Connection and understanding are basic human needs. In the wake of harm and conflict, restorative justice circles bring those needs back into focus.
When we’re hurting, what we often need the most can be the hardest thing to do: talk about it.
Connection, understanding, dialogue—all of these are basic human needs. Yet many of our institutions, especially the justice system, seem to be built around avoiding them.
Restorative justice circles bring those needs back into focus. Rooted in centuries-old indigenous practices, they’re meant to address harm and conflict by inviting everyone involved to really listen to each other. But what do these circles actually look like in practice?
At the center of a restorative justice circle is a centerpiece, often a cloth or fabric to ground the conversation. On top of the centerpiece, participants in the circle can place photos, cards with important words or messages written on them, and other meaningful objects.
A facilitator then starts with an opening ceremony—a breathing exercise, a song or poem, or a meditation—before passing around an object that serves as the talking piece. Another crucial element of the circle, the talking piece gives the speaker a chance to share openly and uninterrupted, while inviting others to listen deeply.
At the Center—where we offer restorative justice circles as an alternative response to crime—people who have been harmed and their loved ones have a chance to express themselves directly to the person who has hurt them. Restorative justice circles give agency back to the people most impacted, creating space for them to talk about how they were affected by an incident in a way they often can’t in the traditional legal process. They also have a chance to have their questions answered truthfully, something that is rarely possible in a typical court process.
The person who has caused that harm, meanwhile, has to confront the impact of their actions head-on—by hearing directly from those they’ve hurt and actively taking accountability. They’re also able to express their own hurt and remorse without the fear of punishment or judgment they would ordinarily face in the criminal legal system.
“It centers the power right back into community and individuals in a collective way, instead of externalizing it in something like the courts,” said Melissa Centeno, who manages our restorative justice programs at Manhattan Justice Opportunities. “I think it allows for nuance in a way that our current systems and modes of handling conflict don’t.”
Restorative justice circles can be powerful tools in community and neighborhood settings as well, where they help repair relationships strained by conflict and give people a rare opportunity to let their guard down.
“When we talk to each other, a lot of times we’re listening to respond rather than listening to understand,” said Alex Genty-Waksberg, a restorative justice facilitator at the Center. “Circle really slows everyone down and encourages them to listen from a place of understanding. It’s a different way of communicating that can be really meaningful.”
Facilitators in restorative circles aren’t just there to guide the conversation; they’re also there to share their own experiences—both the highs and lows—and to serve as models for what vulnerability and accountability can look like. Loved ones and supporters are also invited to join, lending strength and comfort through what is often a difficult part of the journey towards repair.
When faced with the threat of punishment, people often go on the defensive—downplaying the impact of their actions in order to protect themselves from more harm. And when those affected aren’t able to have meaningful dialogue with the person who has hurt them, they can wind up feeling powerless and even less safe. Restorative circles can set people on a path towards genuine healing, bringing everyone involved together to decide for themselves how to move forward.