Dialogue for Justice
The Dialogue for Justice Program provides facilitated dialogue between people who have experienced harm (victims/survivors) and people who are responsible for harm (defendants/offenders). Skilled restorative justice facilitators help those who have a stake in a specific offense or incident of harm to collectively identify and address harms, needs, and obligations in order to heal and put things as right as possible.
Dialogue for Justice creates pathways for cases that currently have limited or no opportunities to be resolved restoratively (including homicide, sexual assault, intimate partner violence). At the same time, we are expanding the number of New York City-based facilitators who are equipped to guide participants through a restorative process in the aftermath of harm.
The process involves participants, along with their supporters, sharing how they were affected by what happened and making a collaborative plan to move forward.
We accept referrals and inquiries from criminal justice system stakeholders and community members. For more information, please email: mary@restorativejustice.nyc
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any eligibility requirements to participate in a restorative justice process?
We carefully assess every referral to determine whether restorative justice is appropriate for the people involved. Participation is always voluntary, and facilitators work with each participant to ensure they can engage safely and meaningfully in the process, centering ongoing consent.
Who can make a referral to the program?
We accept referrals from criminal legal system stakeholders, including district attorney’s offices, public defender agencies, private defense counsel, courts, statewide law enforcement agencies, and victim services agencies.
We accept referrals from directly-impacted community members, their loved ones, and caring professionals within community-based organizations, schools, or religious congregations.
What types of cases do you accept?
We accept criminal justice system referrals at different stages including: pre-arrest, pre-charge, sentence mitigation, and post-adjudication (when requested by survivors).
How do you define harm?
We define harm broadly, including physical and emotional damage that impacts a person’s ability to participate in work, school, or social activities. The harm need not be considered a crime to be eligible for restorative justice.
What happens after I complete a referral form?
We will contact you to learn more about the harm, needs, consent, safety, readiness/willingness, and determine whether our program is the right fit.
What does participating in a restorative justice process look like?
Every restorative justice process is tailored to the needs of the people involved and is different because every person’s experience and needs are different. It typically involves preparation, restorative dialogue, and a restorative action plan. The process begins with individual meetings between participants and trained facilitators.These conversations give participants time to share their experiences, ask questions, identify what they need, and explore what accountability and healing could look like, while ensuring that participation remains voluntary throughout.
For some participants, the process may lead to a facilitated face-to-face restorative dialogue. Together, participants have the opportunity to ask questions, share the impact of the harm, define meaningful accountability, and develop a plan for moving forward. But not every restorative process culminates in face-to-face dialogue. For some, letter writing or facilitated communication without meeting, may better support healing and accountability.
How long does the restorative justice process take?
The process generally takes between three months and one year, with an average length of about six months.
How do I know if this process is the right fit for me?
Restorative justice is not a one-size-fits-all approach. During the assessment phase, facilitators spend time getting to know each participant, understanding their needs, and determining whether restorative dialogue is the best path forward. You will be able to ask questions, and consider whether participating feels right for you. Our facilitators will talk with you about your goals, concerns, and expectations and help you understand what the process involves.
You will never be required to participate in a joint dialogue before you are ready—or if it is not the right option for you. Facilitators will work with you to explore what healing, accountability, and repair might look like in your unique circumstances and discuss alternative approaches if a face-to-face dialogue is not possible or desirable.
What if I change my mind after agreeing to participate?
Participation in Dialogue for Justice is completely voluntary. You may choose to pause or withdraw from the process at any time. If your needs or circumstances change, your facilitator will discuss available options with you and help determine the best path forward. Your well-being and the integrity of the restorative process remain the priority throughout.
How is restorative justice different from the criminal court process?
Restorative justice focuses on healing, accountability, and repairing harm, rather than determining guilt or imposing punishment. Rather than asking what laws were broken, restorative justice asks who was hurt, and what they need. Restorative justice processes can take place at different stages of the criminal legal process, or outside of it completely.
Do both parties have to agree to participate?
Not always. Generally, restorative justice processes require the agreement and active participation of everyone involved. However, in certain circumstances, a restorative process can be arranged with a “surrogate” or substitute participant.
Does restorative justice require forgiveness?
No. Forgiveness can be part of a restorative justice process, but it is never required. Participants define their own goals, which may include getting answers to questions, accountability, healing, safety, repair and/or forgiveness.
Is restorative justice the same as therapy?
No. While a restorative justice process can support and facilitate healing and wellness, it is not counseling or mental health treatment. We encourage participants to seek out mental health support throughout and beyond the restorative justice process.
What people are saying about Restorative Justice Initiative
As both a practitioner and researcher, I am especially grateful for RJI's emails about events and research that are important and timely.
Additionally, RJI helps practitioners connect with others doing this very challenging work nationwide and globally. RJI serves as a professional learning community for those involved in the restorative justice movement.
Finally, practitioners can access information on how to maintain their own wellness as they carry out this very important work."
— Virginia Diaz
“The Restorative Justice Initiative (RJI) is a critical source of information and resources. Along with providing accessible and useful material for program development, RJI keeps us abreast of training opportunities and introduces us to other organizations in the restorative justice space. Connecting with RJI has been key to our progress creating an organization wide commitment to restorative principles and practice.”
—Stephen Tosh, Boys’ Club of New York Executive Director/CEO
“I didn’t think I could make friends with people who were from different places than me.”“We were quiet before you all got here. You brought the voice out of us.”“We all get to be weird here, together, and accept one another’s weird”
“What Restorative Justice Initiative is doing to bring together people working in restorative justice in different arenas is truly amazing. People are learning from each other, updating ideas, and finding ways to make restorative justice work in complex real life situations in New York.
— Tracey
“In my role as a law professor, I teach students about ways to resolve conflict and achieve justice that are healing rather than adversarial and punitive, exposing them to compassionate alternatives to traditional legal practice. Students are excited to learn about the healing potential of restorative practices and the empirical evidence demonstrating that such practices reduce recidivism among those who may have engaged in transgressions against their communities. The Restorative Justice Initiative is an indispensable resource enabling me to share with my students placement opportunities, trainings, and conferences, that may offer them pathways to using their legal talents to engage in this vital work. There is nothing else like it in New York.
— Marjorie
“Expanding non-adversarial ways to resolve wrong-doing that includes perpetrator, victim, and community—is essential if our country is to move in the direction of peace. RJI does a wonderful job of pulling together many New York City area organizations that are working toward this goal.
— Julia
“The Restorative Justice Initiative is essential in helping New York City build and grow a network of stakeholders from the government, nonprofit and private sectors interested in advancing restorative principles, practices and policies in our criminal , education and social service systems.
— Julie