The 5 R’s of Restorative Practices

Beverly B. Title, PhD; adapted by LCJP 2013

Relationship—Restorative practices recognize that when crime or conflicts occur, individuals and communities feel violated. Rather than viewing wrongdoing as an offense against rules, laws or authority, it recognizes that all communities, especially closed communities like schools and classrooms, are impacted. Restorative practices seek to address the damage to relationships and trust by acknowledging how people have been affected physically, mentally, financially, and professionally. Relationships may be repaired through a willingness to be responsible for one’s choices and to make repair of harms done. Relationship is also a central tenet in maintaining a healthy community in which there is open communication, clear expectations and ongoing growth and learning.

Respect—Respect is the key ingredient that holds the container for all restorative practices, and it is what keeps the process safe. It is essential that each person show respect for others and for themselves. As part of respecting others, removing judgment and the presumption that we know what the speaker is going to say is of utmost importance. Our focus on respect allows us to understand the ripple effect of a person's choice without assigning labels or intention to that person's behavior so that, even if we disagree with their thinking, we can comprehend each person's perspective. 

Responsibility—For restorative practices to be effective, personal responsibility must be taken.  Each person needs to take responsibility for any harm that was caused to another, admitting any wrong that was done, even if it was unintentional. Taking responsibility also includes a willingness to give an explanation of the harmful behavior. Everyone needs to be willing to accept responsibility for their own behavior and choices.

Repair—The restorative approach is to repair the harm that was done to the fullest extent possible, recognizing that harm may extend beyond anyone’s capacity for repair. It is this principle that allows us to set aside thoughts of revenge and punishment. It is through taking responsibility for one’s own behavior, hearing how others have been affected, and making repair that people may regain or strengthen their self-respect and the respect of others. Repair should be built from the capacities and strengths of the person who caused harm and be directly correlated with the effects of the offense.

Reintegration—For the restorative process to be complete, persons who have caused harm and may have felt alienated must be accepted back into the community.  Reintegration is realized when all involved have put the hurt behind them and moved into a new role in the community.  By completing the repairs, the person has shown themselves to have fully taken responsibility and re-established right relationships. The outcome of successful reintegration is recognition that the person was good to their word of following through on repairs and learning from his or her actions. It is then important that the community is able to reintegrate the person as a member of good standing who has upheld their obligations for repair.