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Into the Weeds: Exploring the Realities of Restorative Justice Practice

Kat Reichert, CLA Public Information Office
March 4, 2026
cla-pio@alaska.edu

Restorative justice is often discussed in terms of its values — accountability, healing and community. But translating those values into real-world programs requires navigating complex questions about structure, logistics and collaboration.

Those conversations will take center stage at the fourth annual Restorative Justice Symposium, a free virtual gathering taking place March 30 through April 1 from 1–4 p.m. each day. The three-day event brings together practitioners, scholars, community members and people who have participated in restorative justice programs to explore how restorative justice is practiced across Alaska and beyond.

The symposium is organized by Ingrid Johnson of the UAF Department of Justice and Rei Shimizu of the UAA School of Social Work, who have spent the past several years building the event into a space for connection among restorative justice practitioners across the state.

Johnson said that collaboration is essential to restorative justice work.

“Restorative justice programs often require collaboration and understanding across professional fields as well as significant community buy-in, so all of those voices are important to have at the table.”

That emphasis on conversation reflects the collaborative nature of restorative justice itself. Creating opportunities to learn from one another is a central goal of the symposium.

This year’s theme, “Navigating the Weeds of Restorative Justice Practice,” reflects the growing complexity of restorative justice work in Alaska. As new programs emerge and existing ones evolve, practitioners are increasingly grappling with the practical realities of building and sustaining restorative justice initiatives in their communities.

Because this year’s symposium is being held virtually, organizers chose to focus more heavily on educational content, creating space to examine the practical side of restorative justice work — the logistics, challenges and structural decisions that shape how programs operate.

Across three afternoons, sessions will explore a range of topics, including the experiences of people who have participated in restorative justice processes, the legal pathways that connect cases to restorative justice programs, and the role of facilitators who guide restorative justice conversations. The symposium will also feature discussions with emerging restorative justice programs across Alaska, offering insight into how new initiatives are taking shape and what challenges they encounter along the way.

One of the most anticipated additions this year is a panel featuring individuals who have participated in restorative justice programs themselves. While previous symposia have included some participant perspectives, this will be the first time the event has hosted a full panel dedicated to those experiences.

Johnson said the addition grew out of feedback from past attendees who wanted to hear more directly from those who have taken part in restorative justice processes.

“We regularly receive feedback from participants that they want to hear more directly from people who have participated in RJ programs,” Johnson said. “While we have featured a few participants' voices in prior symposia, this is the first time we'll have a full panel of people who have participated in existing programs in Alaska. We are particularly excited about that!”

Another new feature of the symposium is a series of program development dialogues, where emerging restorative justice programs across Alaska will share updates on their work and invite questions and feedback from attendees. The conversations are designed to provide a behind-the-scenes look at how restorative justice initiatives develop — from early planning stages to the challenges that arise as programs grow.

For students and community members interested in the field, the symposium offers an opportunity to see how restorative justice works not just as a set of principles, but as a practical framework that requires collaboration, planning and sustained effort.

“We hope participants leave with both inspiration and practical clarity,” said Shimizu. “RJ is value-driven and relational, but implementation also requires attention to structure and logistics. Our hope is that attendees walk away with a better understanding of what RJ looks like beyond the values and principles, i.e., how programs are structured, the challenges and nuances that need to be considered, and how those challenges are navigated in real time.”

Restorative justice efforts in Alaska often operate within small teams or emerging programs, making opportunities to connect especially important. Organizers hope the symposium will help strengthen those connections while also creating space for participants to share questions, ideas and lessons learned.

“One thing that we have been intentional about is making sure that there is space for reflection, Q&A, and dialogue, not just presentations,” Shimizu said. “So, ultimately, this symposium isn't just about showcasing programs, but it's really about strengthening a community of RJ in Alaska.”

That emphasis on conversation is intentional. Restorative justice, by its nature, depends on collaboration among communities, practitioners and institutions. Creating opportunities for those groups to learn from one another is a central goal of the symposium.

“The more we can learn from one another and the more voices we can get at the table, the more thoughtfully RJ can grow in our state,” Shimizu said.

As interest in restorative justice continues to expand across Alaska, the symposium offers a chance for students, practitioners and community members alike to take part in the conversation and learn from those actively building these programs.

“If someone is on the fence, I would say this — the conversation about RJ implementation is happening right now, and this symposium is an opportunity to be part of shaping it.”

The fourth annual Restorative Justice Symposium is free and open to the public. To learn more or register, .