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As a part of its mission to increase public access to restorative justice education, the National Center on Restorative Justice regularly provides free webinars on various critical topics in restorative justice. The 2024 webinar series, Restorative Justice: A Regional Lens, highlights restorative justice work in different geographic regions across the United States.

Next Webinar

Restorative Justice in the South

Date: April 24, 2024
Time: 3-4:30 PM ET
Panelists: Lashawnda Singleton, Jasmyn Story, Kelli Burnett, Dan Kahn, JoHanna “J” Thompson, Aparna Polavarapu

Part of the Restorative Justice: A Regional Lens webinar series, this session focuses on Restorative Justice in the South and features community-based organizations and practitioners committed to implementing restorative approaches that promote accountability and healing within communities and function alongside or outside the criminal legal system. Presenters will share recommendations for implementing restorative justice based on their experience.

Learn more about our panelists below!

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Lashawnda Singleton is a graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a Master of Public Administration and a Certification in Nonprofit and Nongovernmental Organization Management. She also has a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University, where she focused her studies on reentry programs and recidivism. She has worked to ensure the successful reintegration of system-involved persons through the creation and maintenance of Reentry Councils for the Commonwealth of Virginia and was the creator and coordinator of the VADOC Peer Recovery Support statewide grant. She is currently the President of Richmond Restorative Justice, an adjunct professor at VCU School of Social Work, and a Criminal Justice Advocate.

Kelli Burnett is a Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Richmond and has been a prosecutor since 2004. She leads the Community Justice Reform Unit, which focuses on restorative alternatives to the traditional criminal legal system. Prior to her current role, Kelli served as the Multijurisdictional Insurance Fraud Prosecutor for Central Virginia and supervised the Juvenile and Domestic Relations (JDR) Court division. She received her law degree from the University of Richmond School of Law and was law clerk to the Honorable David G. Lowe, Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia at Richmond.

JoHanna “J” Thompson, MPA is the Executive Co-director of the Florida Restorative Justice Association in addition to serving on the Leadership Team of The Peace Alliance, Founding the Bring the Peace Movement, co-Founding Unity 360 Institute and U360 IDEAS, and serving on the Florida State Advisory Committee of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. J’s career is dedicated to creating collaborative spaces across an intersection of networks, fostering relationships, and maintaining a commitment to increase the capacity of those working toward equitable social and transformational justice until freedom dreams are a reality.

As the founder and Executive Director of Freedom Farm Azul, a 15-acre healing farm in Prattville, Alabama, Jasmyn Story seamlessly blends academic insight with practical experience in urban agriculture. Their community-centered initiatives have not only educated and healed but have also nourished communities. Notable achievements include speaking engagements at major environmental grant-making conferences and facilitating the Congressional Briefing on the Farm Bill related to Heir Property, at the request of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Jasmyn’s impact extends to the realm of justice and community building as the visionary founder of Honeycomb Justice. This collective, comprised of restorative and transformative justice facilitators, educators, and JEDI specialists, is dedicated to collective healing and communal building. With a vision rooted in anti-racist practices and methodologies, Honeycomb Justice envisions an equitable society much like a beehive, where individuals work together toward a collective vision. Honeycomb Justice’s reach extends to movement spaces, notable institutions, and community figures. Jasmyn has been recognized as a keynote speaker for prominent events such as the National Association of Community and Restorative Justice and the European Forum on Restorative Justice.

Dan Kahn is Executive Co-Director of the Florida Restorative Justice Association. He is also a volunteer and former case manager with the Community Connections Restorative Justice Program in Tallahassee. He served for eight years as National Field Director of the Peace Alliance, and three years as lead facilitator for RJNet.

Professor Aparna Polavarapu is a professor at the University of South Carolina Joseph F. Rice School of Law, as well as the executive director and founder of the South Carolina Restorative Justice Initiative. As a professor, she teaches and writes in the areas of restorative justice, international law, comparative law, and human rights. As the executive director of the Restorative Justice Initiative, she oversees the development of restorative justice education and programing and works with communities and organizations seeking to develop and implement their own restorative practices. Her community work includes facilitating community circles, leading skills workshops, and supporting the radical imagination required to develop these practices.

Upcoming Webinars

Restorative Justice Storytelling

Date: May 29, 2024
Time: 3pm-4:30pm ET

This webinar will highlight how practitioners, writers, artists, and other creatives advance restorative justice advocacy and education efforts through storytelling. Examples discussed will include novels, films, case studies, theatre, and more. Attendees will consider how media and stories influence the public’s perception of justice issues and can expand public imagination.

Restorative Justice in the North

Date: June 26, 2024
Time: 3pm-4:30pm ET

Part of the Restorative Justice: A Regional Lens webinar series, this session focuses on Restorative Justice in the North and features community-based organizations and practitioners committed to implementing restorative approaches that promote accountability and healing within communities and function alongside or outside the criminal legal system. Presenters will share recommendations for implementing restorative justice based on their experience.

Title IX & Restorative Justice Implementation in the Criminal Legal System

Date: July 24, 2024
Time: 3pm-4:30pm ET

This webinar session offers participants an understanding of restorative justice application as a resolution for Title IX violations and sexual harm. The webinar is intended for justice system actors and others looking to learn more about restorative justice and best practices for incorporating them into higher education and other systems that offer alternative responses to investigation/adjudication models. Panelists will discuss case examples that utilize restorative justice conferencing and other models while incorporating key facilitation components for effective practice.

Introduction to the Restorative Justice Laws Database

Date: August 28, 2024
Time: 3pm-4:30pm ET

This webinar session will introduce the newly launched Restorative Justice Laws Database from the National Center on Restorative Justice. Attendees will be introduced to the functionality of the database and how they can use it to learn more about examples of restorative justice policy from around the United States. A range of relevant policy features will be highlighted.

Restorative Justice in the Midwest

Date: September 25, 2024
Time: 3pm-4:30pm ET

Part of the Restorative Justice: A Regional Lens webinar series, this session focuses on Restorative Justice in the Midwest and features community-based organizations and practitioners committed to implementing restorative approaches that promote accountability and healing within communities and function alongside or outside the criminal legal system. Presenters will share recommendations for implementing restorative justice based on their experience.

Restorative Justice in the West

Date: October 30, 2024
Time: 3pm-4:30pm ET

Part of the Restorative Justice: A Regional Lens webinar series, this session focuses on Restorative Justice in the West and features community-based organizations and practitioners committed to implementing restorative approaches that promote accountability and healing within communities and function alongside or outside the criminal legal system. Presenters will share recommendations for implementing restorative justice based on their experience.

Restorative Justice, Neurodiversity, and Mental Health in the Criminal Legal System

Date: November 1, 2024
Time: 3pm-4:30pm ET

This webinar focuses on how restorative justice approaches are adapted and implemented to meet participants’ needs related to neurodiversity and mental health. By integrating principles of trauma-informed care and recognizing the diversity of human experiences and abilities, restorative justice can offer a more holistic and compassionate approach to addressing harm, promoting accountability, and supporting the mental health and well-being of individuals within communities.

Restorative Justice and Policy

Date: November 20, 2024
Time: 3pm-4:30pm ET

This webinar focuses on restorative justice legislation and the key components for establishing legal frameworks that support the implementation, expansion, and sustainability of restorative justice in the criminal legal context. By providing legal recognition, standards, protections, resources, and accountability mechanisms, legislation is critical in advancing restorative justice principles and promoting equity, healing, and accountability within communities across the country. The NCORJ Restorative Justice Laws Database resource will also be highlighted.

Past Webinars

2022-2023

Healing & Accountability Dialogue in the Criminal Legal System

Date: November 15, 2023

Panelists: Tomay Varlack-Butler (moderator), Erika Sasson, Suzanne Neuhaus, Rebecca Weiker, Kevin Skipper
Description: This webinar was intended for system actors and community members interested in learning about restorative justice facilitation. Panelists shared their experiences in VOD and the importance of offering harmed and responsible persons an opportunity to engage in restorative justice practices. Presenters shared key recommendations and challenges during the implementation process.

Introducción de Justicia Restaurativa en el Sistema Legal Penal Seminario Web en Español

Date: 01 de Noviembre, 2023

Panelistas: Mayte Benitez, Rafael Monroy
Descripción: Este seminario web está dirigido a representantes del sistema y miembros de la comunidad interesados en aprender sobre principios y filosofías esenciales de las prácticas restaurativas. La presentación introductoria ofrecerá una breve descripción general de las prácticas restaurativas incluyendo: la historia y el origen de estas prácticas, los enfoques para dirigirse en aceptar responsabilidad significativa a los delitos y daños ,y ofrecerá recomendaciones fundamentales y dificultades durante el proceso de implementación.

Restorative Justice Education in the Carceral System

Date: October 25, 2023

Panelists: Kathy Fox (moderator), Jerome Nunn, Tito Campbell, Stephanie O’Reilly, Eric Anderson, Dr. Elena Quintana, Joseph Mapp
Description: This webinar highlighted various curricula and recommendations for teaching restorative justice in prisons. Panelists shared their experiences relating to the lived experience of being incarcerated and learning about restorative justice, as well as tools for implementing and improving restorative justice education in carceral settings.

Restorative Justice for Judges
Date: August 30, 2023

Panelists: Robert Sand (moderator), Judge Patricia S. Spratt, Judge Wesley Saint Clair, Judge Timothy P. Connors, Judge Leo T. Sorokin
Description: This webinar was intended for justice system actors and others looking to learn about restorative justice principles and their relevant applications for judges. Current and former seated judges shared their experiences implementing restorative justice practices in their role and the effectiveness within the criminal legal system. Panelists also shared challenges and recommendations for system implementation.

Restorative Justice for Prosecutors
Date: June 28, 2023

Panelists: Robert Sand (moderator), Sarah George, Demarris Evans, Chris Brown-Haugen, Jay Jackson
Description: This webinar was intended for justice system actors and others looking to learn about restorative justice practices and their relevant applications for prosecutors. Current and former prosecutors shared their experiences diverting legal cases from the traditional system and collaborating with community-led programs and partners. The conversation included examining the process of establishing memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and any challenges within the criminal legal system, focusing on promoting racial justice and equity.

Restorative Justice for Reintegration and Reentry
Date: May 31, 2023

Panelists: Kimberly Kras, PhD. (moderator), Darryl Varlack-Butler, Alex Frank, Derek Miodownik, Stephen Bishop
Description: This webinar introduced participants to restorative justice strategies to support reintegration following incarceration. The panelists discussed what specifically characterizes a restorative approach to reintegration support and the possibilities and challenges in expanding these models. This webinar corresponded with the publication of a white paper on Restorative Reintegration by the National Center on Restorative Justice.

Restorative Justice for Police
Date: April 26, 2023

Panelists: Sydney Pidgeon (moderator), Dr. Josh Bacon, Vanessa Westley, Tiffany Krusey
Description: This 75-minute webinar introduced viewers to the key principles of restorative justice and ways of implementation for police officers. The panelists shared experiences and recommendations for police officers working in the criminal legal system that encourages self-reflection, engagement with the community members they serve, and strategies relevant to their direct role in the legal system.

Restorative Justice for Violence Prevention & Intervention
Date: February 22, 2023

Panelists: Dr. Sejung Yang, Erika Sasson, Rami El Gharib, Vanessa Westley, Dr. Elena Quintana, Avery Arrington (moderator)
Description: This session introduced participants to the key principles of restorative justice, an alternative response to crime that focuses on understanding the needs that led to an offense, the impacts of the crime on the victim and wider community, and on forming a plan to repair the harm caused to the degree possible. Restorative justice approaches promote accountability and help facilitate greater understanding and healing. The panel featured representatives from community restorative justice programs who discuss their programs, how they interact with the criminal justice system, and outcomes relevant to community violence prevention and intervention. Presenters shared recommendations for implementing restorative justice across the country based on their experience.

Restorative Justice in the Criminal Legal System
Date: November 16, 2022

Panelists: Bobby Sand (Moderator), Francisco “Paco” Carbajal, Erin Freeborn, Judge Timothy Connors, Eric Anderson, Emmanuel “Noble” Williams
Description: In honor of International Restorative Justice Week, the National Center on Restorative Justice (NCORJ) offered a 90-minute webinar on restorative justice in the criminal legal system. The webinar was intended for justice system actors and others looking to learn more about restorative justice approaches and how to incorporate them into the justice system. Panelists shared how they implement restorative justice practices, the evidence of effectiveness and impact on the carceral system, and any challenges experienced during the implementation process.