Bridging Systems, Building Trust: Restorative Practices for Juvenile Justice–Involved Youth in Southeastern Kentucky
This poster examines how restorative justice strengthens educator-youth relationships, connects schools and juvenile justice, and supports rural students’ long-term educational engagement, accountability, and success.
Presented by:
Erin Stevenson, Eastern Kentucky University
From the author, in their own words...
Erin Stevenson, Eastern Kentucky University
Transcript:
The poster, Bridging Systems, Building Trust: Restorative Practices for Justice-Involved Youth, highlights restorative justice as a promising alternative to traditional juvenile justice. Restorative justice is both a philosophy and a structured process that brings together youth, those harmed, families, schools, community partners, and justice professionals to promote accountability, healing, and stronger relationships.
This poster describes the Southeast Kentucky Restorative Justice Project, which serves nine Appalachian counties. Program evaluation results found that youth who completed a restorative justice conference had lower rates of reoffending one year later. By reducing stigma, encouraging accountability, and strengthening connections to family, school, and community, restorative justice offers a meaningful approach to supporting justice-involved youth.
Abstract:
This poster presentation examines how restorative justice strengthens relationships between educators and justice-involved youth in rural schools, supporting engagement and reducing exclusionary discipline. It highlights partnerships between schools and juvenile justice systems to promote accountability, trust, and school persistence. Drawing on program implementation, the session explores practical strategies for relationship-building and reentry support.
Key Words:
Restorative Justice, Educational Engagement, Rural Youth
Outcomes:
1. Describe restorative justice applications in schools.
2. Understand school–juvenile justice collaboration strategies.
3. Identify relationship-centered practices to support student engagement.
References:
Gen, B.M., Wojtowicz, O.H., & Johnson, N.L. (2026). Restorative justice processes in k-12 schools: a scoping review. Journal of Prevention and Health Promotion, 7(2), 349-376. https://doi.org/10.1177/26320770251384671
Gerkin, P.M., Cwick, J.M., Walsh, J.P. & Sheffer, J.D. (2025). Student satisfaction within school-based restorative circles: a multilevel approach. Criminal Justice Review, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1177/07340168251347958
Lodi, E., Perrella, L., Lepri, G.L., Scarpa, M.L., & Patrizi, P. (2022). Use of restorative justice and restorative practices at school: a systematic literature review. International Journal of Environmental Research & Public Health, 19(1), 1-34. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010096
Mendel, R., A. (2026). Restorative justice diversion: a better way to heal victims and provide meaningful accountability for youth. The Sentencing Project. https://www.sentencingproject.org/reports/restorative-justice-diversion-a-better-way-to-provide-meaningful-accountability-for-youth/