Date of Graduation

2026

Degree Type

Dissertation/Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Advisor(s)

Jeanne Flavin

Abstract

Restorative justice (RJ) programs have increasingly been used to respond to social harm, and at times have been employed as alternatives to some of the United States’ traditional criminal court procedures. Studies suggest that these restorative programs find success in repairing relationships and reintegrating individuals back into their communities, tend to be perceived as positive by participants, and have the potential to reduce recidivism rates. This study explores how and why these restorative justice meetings work through an examination of the presence and evolution of participant emotional expression, as well as the role that outward communication of emotion has in reaching goals of repair and restoration. This study consists of a review of relevant literature, content analysis of training materials for restorative justice circle facilitators, and interviews with circle facilitators at Project Reset’s restorative pre-court diversion program in the Bronx. My research reveals that participants move through a range of emotions over the course of restorative conferences and that the outward expression of these emotions are critical to the mechanics of restorative discussions, build participants’ connection to community, benefit participants’ psychological wellbeing, and inspire accountability through the exchange of knowledge. This study’s results can help make the RJ process more transparent and can inform the development of techniques and training for facilitation of restorative justice circles. Discussion of my results also considers how centering open expression and communication across diverse settings and within interpersonal dialogue can be pivotal to the promotion of community wellbeing and growth.

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