Using Trauma-Informed Restorative Justice with Youth
Using Trauma-Informed Restorative Justice with Youth
Many jurisdictions have adopted restorative justice programs as a way to divert youth from juvenile justice system involvement. Unlike traditional juvenile justice system responses—such as arrest and incarceration—restorative justice programs are more responsive to youth needs and more effective in preventing future crimes because they help young people take responsibility for their behavior and repair the harm that was caused to victim(s) and the broader community. When implemented in a trauma-informed manner, they also hold young people accountable for their actions while acknowledging the impact of trauma on a young person’s behavior to determine how to best respond to their needs. This brief describes how juvenile justice stakeholders can support restorative justice approaches to minimize youth involvement in the juvenile justice system and potentially address their behavioral health needs while also preserving public safety. Photo by Martyna Bober on Unsplash.
Project Credits
Writing: Felicia Lopez Wright, CSG Justice Center
Research: Felicia Lopez Wright, CSG Justice Center
Advising: Sarah Wurzburg, Josh Weber, and Demetrius Thomas, CSG Justice Center
Editing: Darby Baham, Emily Morgan, and Katy Albis, CSG Justice Center
Design: Michael Bierman
Public Affairs: Ruvi Lopez, CSG Justice Center
About the Author
The affordable housing crisis has increased the need for new housing developments in communities across the U.S., particularly…
Read MoreIn partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs’ Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), The…
Read MoreWith unanimous consent, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act of 2022…
Read More
The affordable housing crisis has increased the need for new housing developments…
Read More
In partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs’…
Read More
With unanimous consent, the U.S. Senate passed the bipartisan Justice and Mental…
Read More
On December 29, 2022, President Joe Biden signed a $1.7 trillion omnibus…
Read More

Community leaders around the country have heralded the arrival of 988—the 3-digit…
Read More