They can hire staff Typically, restorative justice interventions from similar backgrounds and with similar experi bring together those most affected by an of ences to the young people, and they are better po fense—the justice involved youth and mem sitioned than court staff to earn the trust and confi bers of his or her family, the person harmed, dence of young people and their families.9 oth. [...] In its Re Avoid Net-Widening storative Justice Toolkit, Equal Justice USA discour ages participation by legal system representatives Diversion rules and requirements are only appropriate (police, prosecutors, probation) both to ensure con for youth who would otherwise be arrested and prose fidentiality in the restorative justice process and to cuted in the justice system. [...] However, considerable re address mistrust of police and the court system in search shows that youth diversion programs are often under resourced communities of color where re imposed on youth who do not pose significant risks to storative justice diversion programs often operate.11 public safety and who – if not for the existence of the diversion program – would otherwise receive just a ● Empowe. [...] In a 2021 paper, the Council of State Gov and pose a significant risk to public safety, youth whose ernments Justice Center concluded: “Restorative justice lawbreaking and other conduct problems are driven programs are more responsive to youth needs [than the primarily by mental health, substance abuse, or social traditional juvenile court process] and more effective in services needs should be r. [...] The In addition to incorporating restorative justice practices participatory dimension of restorative justice to repair harm and address victims’ needs, effective di provides children with the opportunity to ful version programs also should promote young people’s ly grasp the extent of the harm done and to be well being and success.
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- United States of America
