The Broadway play “Punch” from Olivier Award-winning writer James Graham brought the power of restorative justice to thousands of New Yorkers and theater-goers. Based on a true story of a tragic one-punch manslaughter, “Punch” offers a close-up and deeply moving look at a restorative justice process—where people who have caused harm, those who have been hurt, and others in the community come together to build a path forward.
The goal of our restorative justice work inside and outside the courtroom is to empower those most affected by harm—survivors and victims; those who have caused harm; family, friends, and other supports in both their lives; and the community as a whole. Through structured conversations in a safe space, everyone has a chance to speak, be heard, and move toward healing in a way that incarceration alone rarely allows.
The Center for Justice Innovation was proud to partner with Manhattan Theatre Club to host a series of powerful post-show conversations to help audiences learn about the real-life impact of restorative justice. See photos below!
From Broadway shows to creative writing workshops with people returning from incarceration, we’ve seen firsthand how art can be a powerful vehicle for healing. Our Senior Director of Neighborhood Safety Initiatives Layman Lee joined changemakers from NYU Tisch School of Arts and the Fortune Society to reflect on the play and the transformative powers of creative expression.
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From Broadway shows to creative writing workshops with people returning from incarceration, we’ve seen firsthand how art can be a powerful vehicle for healing. Our Senior Director of Neighborhood Safety Initiatives Layman Lee joined changemakers from NYU Tisch School of Arts and the Fortune Society to reflect on the play and the transformative powers of creative expression.
After Jacob Dunne threw a single punch that killed James Hodgkinson, James’s parents were overcome by grief and anger. But they also had a lot of unanswered questions. With the help of a restorative justice facilitator, Jacob agreed to answer those questions—sparking a dialogue that would grow into a partnership, a journey of advocacy, and the Broadway show Punch. On our New Thinking podcast, hear from the real people behind this powerful play: James’s parents Joan Scourfield and David Hodgkinson; Jacob Dunne; and Nicola Fowler, the restorative justice practitioner who facilitated their unlikely dialogue.
Sep 29, 2025
Experts in restorative practices from around the world came together to see the real-life story of restorative justice on Broadway. The event kicked off an international convening that we hosted, where people exchanged ideas and explored new avenues in restorative justice through a global lens. Watch leaders and practitioners reflect on their experience seeing the show together in New York.
