The Center assists women in the criminal justice system in making a successful transition to their families and communities through practicing and promoting restorative justice.

Restorative justice is the process of recognizing the impact of our words and actions on others, repairing harm and taking responsibility for our actions and improving our behavior as members of our community.

When we act restoratively, we are respectful, responsible and open to learning.

Clients participate in reparative activities including community service, family strengthening and self improvement.

Staff, board and volunteers utilize restorative practices in our work including decision making and communication.

• There are now 15 Juvenile Courts in the state that have implemented restorative justice principles and practices in the disposition of at least some of their cases.
• The Department of Corrections, in addition to its reparative program and Impact of Crime on Victims classes in the correctional facilities, is facilitating Victim Offender Dialogue in crimes of severe violence.
• The Division of Probation & Parole of the Department of Corrections, in addition to its reparative boards, is also making Impact of Crime on Victims classes available through all of its district offices.
• Several school districts in Missouri have now incorporated restorative justice practices in their curricula and in the way they are responding to disciplinary cases.
• Restorative justice practices are being used or developed in several adult courts, including Victim Impact Panels (Lincoln and Greene Counties) and Victim/Offender Dialogues (Greene County and the City of Columbia).