Prison Fellowship

  • DONATE
    • One-Time
    • Monthly
    • Angel Tree
    • Other Ways to Give
  • GET INVOLVED
    • All Options
    • Subscribe
    • Angel Tree Christmas
    • Start a Fundraiser
    • Pray With Us
    • Justice Action Center
    • Share on Social
Search
  • STORIES
    • Stories
    • Blog
    • Videos
    • The Restoration Series [Videos]
  • WHAT WE DO
    • Why Help Prisoners?
    • What We Do
    • In-Prison
      • Prison Fellowship Academy
      • In-Prison Programs
      • Hope Events
      • Inside Journal
      • Women’s Ministry
      • Create: New Beginnings
    • Angel Tree
      • Register your church or group for Angel Tree
      • Prison Fellowship Angel Tree
      • Angel Tree Christmas
      • Angel Tree Camping
      • Angel Tree Sports Camp
    • Justice Reform
      • Justice Reform
      • Second Chance Month
      • News & Updates
      • Sign the Justice Declaration
      • Get a Copy of Outrageous Justice
    • Warden Exchange
    • Church Partners
    • Corporate Partnerships
    • Preparing Prisoners for Reentry
    • Research and Evaluation
      • Good Citizenship Model®
  • RESOURCES
    • Subscribe to Our Email
    • Support for Friends and Family of Prisoners
      • Resources for Friends and Family of Prisoners
      • Coping with Incarceration
      • Resources for Prisoners
      • Resources for Children of Prisoners
      • Supporting Successful Prisoner Reentry
      • Subscribe To The Hope Connection
    • Resources for Churches and Volunteers
      • Resources for Churches and Volunteers
      • In-Prison Ministry
      • Reentry Ministry
      • Family Ministry
      • Justice Reform
      • Mentoring Ministry
    • Angel Tree Coordinator Training
    • Resources for Chaplains
    • Resources for D.O.C.
    • Justice Reform Resources
    • Create: New Beginnings Book
    • Share on Social
  • ABOUT US
    • Our Beliefs
    • Mission & Vision
    • Financials
      • Financials
      • 2024 Annual Report
    • Employment
    • Contact Us
    • In The News
    • Leadership
    • Chuck Colson
      • About Chuck Colson
      • The Charles Colson Hope Awards

Restorative Justice in Practice

July 9, 2015 by Katherine Thompson

A version of this post originally appeared on the Justice Fellowship website.

A group of men in prison gather to listen as a mother shares the pain and sorrow of losing her child. The men sit silently with tears streaming down their cheeks while she relives the memory aloud. Concluding with a message of hope, she tells her audience that she has found closure. And she shares that if they are looking for closure too, it is within their grasp if they’re willing to begin the difficult journey of introspection.

This is the image of restorative justice in action, and it is being practiced at the Norfolk State Prison Colony in Massachusetts. The Restorative Justice Retreat, organized by Dr. Karen Lischinsky, volunteer coordinator for the Restorative Justice Group at Norfolk, affords incarcerated individuals an opportunity to choose redemption over recidivism.

Victims challenge prisoners to grasp the pain inflicted on others as a result of their actions, reflect on the root cause of why they committed the offense, and invest in reforming themselves into individuals that will contribute to the future prosperity of their families and communities.  Mrs. Odom, the mother who lost her son, demonstrates this process when she says, “You have left an indelible mark, but you can prevent more harm from being done. As a mother, I can tell you we don’t bring murderers into this world.”

The retreat also challenges victims of crime to recognize the dignity afforded to every human being and to encourage human kindness as a tool to bring healing to those who harmed them.

The restorative justice practices at Norfolk State Prison demonstrate how a constructive culture can make for a less violent prison. According to a Huffington Post article, the restorative justice group at Norfolk demonstrates a strong correlation between participation in the program and a reduction in disciplinary infractions, as well as a boost in prison morale.

To learn more about the values of restorative justice that help lead to closure for victims and prisoners, visit www.justicefellowship.org/building-restorative-justice.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Huffington Post, massachusetts, Norfolk State Prison Colony, Restorative Justice, Restorative Justice Retreat

SELECT A TOPIC

  • Advocacy & Reentry
  • Angel Tree
  • Families of Prisoners
  • Feature Stories
  • From the CEO
  • Hope Events
  • Inside Journal
  • Press Releases
  • Prison & Prisoners
  • Prison Fellowship Academy
  • Prison Fellowship International
  • Prison Fellowship News & Updates
  • Reentry
  • Second Chance Month
  • Uncategorized
  • Video
  • Warden Exchange

MOST POPULAR

The California Prison Where Hope is Alive and Well

April 9, 2025

My Story: Tynecia

April 9, 2025

The Pastor Who Got a Second Chance

April 2, 2025

LATEST VIDEOS

WATCH ALL VIDEOS

Join our online community

Facebook Facebook X (Twitter) X (Twitter) Instagram Instagram YouTube YouTube LinkedIn LinkedIn
PF®
PFM®

RECOMMENDED LINKS

  • Ways to Donate
  • Inspirational Stories
  • Angel Tree
  • Prison Fellowship Academy
  • Justice Reform

RESOURCES

  • For Families & Friends of Prisoners
  • For Churches & Angel Tree Volunteers
  • Warden Exchange

JOIN RESTORATION PARTNERS AND WITNESS GOD RESTORE LIVES

Restoration Partners give monthly to bring life-changing prison ministry programs to incarcerated men and women across the country.

 

JOIN NOW
  • CONTACT US
  • EMPLOYMENT
  • PRIVACY
  • FINANCIALS
© 2025 PRISON FELLOWSHIP®

Angel Tree®, Angel Tree Camping®, Angel Tree Sports CampTM, and Warden Exchange® are programs of Prison Fellowship®.