Restorative Justice

What is Restorative Justice?

Restorative justice is an approach to dealing with crime and conflict which focuses on identifying and repairing the harm caused to the victim(s) of crime. 

Restorative justice approaches 

• reduce crime victims' traumatic stress symptoms
• empower victims to voice their needs to repair the harm
• provide a space for meaningful dialogue 
• reduce recidivism 
• build resilient communities with a higher level of safety and comfort

The Pennsylvania Juvenile Justice System implemented a has restorative justice system. The goals of this restorative justice system include community protection, accountability, and competency development. In Pennsylvania, all restorative justice programs are voluntary for both the offender and the victim.  All conversations are facilitated by trained Office of Victim Advocate professionals.

For adult offenders, restorative justice is accomplished through the Office of Victim Advocate. The Office of Victim Advocate steps in when an offender is sentenced to two or more years.  To receive the rights available, victims should register with the Office of Victim Advocate. All registration is confidential. Victims can receive notifications about the status of the offender and the option to provide input if or when the offender becomes eligible for parole or applies for either pardon or clemency.

Restorative Justice by PLAN

Available Programs

• Inmate Apology Bank – This program provides crime victims or survivors with the option to receive an apology letter from the offender. This program allows state inmates or parolees to write voluntary apology letter to be stored in a “bank” without violating no contact policies or PFA orders. If you would like more information on the program or are interested in receiving an apology letter if one is submitted, please contact the Office of Victim Advocate at 800-563-6399 or email RA-PMOVA-IABprogram@pa.gov.
   
• Victim Offender Dialogue This program allows victims and offenders to discuss the harm that occurred in a safe and secure way. Trained facilitators prepare both the victim and the offender to participate in a face-to-face meeting and provide a facilitated discussion of the trauma that occurred. If you would like more information on the program or are interested in participating in the program, please contact the Office of Victim Advocate by telephone at 800-563-6399 or by email to RA-PMOVAVODProgram@pa.gov.
   
• Resilient Voices This program provides a space for survivors to share their personal experience of the crime that occurred or the harm that they suffered. The Office of Victim Advocate has a coalition of passionate survivors that are willing to speak on sexual assault, domestic violence, childhood sexual abuse, homicide, drug related deaths, the devastation of losing a child, and other topics related to victimization. For more information on sharing your experience as a survivor in a safe space email contact the Office of Victim Advocate at RA-RSLNTVOICES@pa.gov.