Restorative justice practices
can improve communities
Damin Esper’s article “AUSD settles with students over racist Instagram posts” (Page B1, April 3) implies that restorative justice is wholly ineffective.
However, as an educator, I have seen restorative justice practices, when well-executed, work effectively.
Esper describes the school’s attempt at restorative justice as “ill-fated,” but the exercise described doesn’t sound like restorative justice at all. Restorative justice aims to heal — avoiding punitive measures like suspensions (by keeping the students in school) — not to add punishments upon their return from suspension.
A private discussion circle, facilitated by a trained restorative justice educator, could have actually helped.
While I agree that AUSD must address racism, I think proactive relationship-building restorative justice programs have the best results. Organizations such as the Center for Restorative Process in Santa Rosa or the Restorative Justice Training Institute in El Cerrito offer educator trainings.
I hope Albany Unified is not completely soured on restorative justice, because I believe it can change communities for the better.
Nicole Mohr
Berkeley
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