National survey looks at states’ development and implementation of restorative justice policy–Part 2

Source: (1999) Kaleidoscope of Justice: Highlighting Restorative Juvenile Justice. 1(2): 4-5. Fort Lauderdale, FL: Balanced and Restorative Justice Project, Florida Atlantic University. Downloaded 21 January 2005.

According to Sandra O’Brien, several years after restorative justice first appeared in the United States, the staff at the Balanced and Restorative Justice Project (Florida Atlantic University) embarked on a study to assess if and how restorative justice principles are being developed and implemented in all fifty states. Conducted through interviews with an appropriate person in each state between January and March 1999, the BARJ staff surveyed five key questions or areas. Hence, the results of the study are organized into five sections. Here O’Brien summarizes the findings and analysis for one question in Section 2 and for all of Section 3. Section 2 covers how restorative justice was promoted or initiated in each state. The particular question highlighted in this part of Section 2 looks at what environmental conditions influenced the policy or organizational changes. Section 3 identifies who is responsible for implementing restorative justice policy in each state and to whom restorative justice applies.