Conference “State and Civil Society in Extremism Prevention – New Paths to Interdisciplinary Cooperation in the Justice System”. A lively workshop on restorative justice in the prison system.

Foto: privat

As part of a nationwide conference on extremism prevention within the justice system, organized by the Violence Prevention Network e.V. on June 15, 2026, at the Environmental Forum in Berlin, I had the opportunity to lead a workshop on Restorative Justice (RJ). The event brought together representatives from civil society, correctional facilities, probation services, police and security agencies, state democracy centers, academia, as well as various associations and ministries. The conference aimed to foster dialogue between different professional groups and to open up new perspectives on prevention and intervention work.

My workshop addressed the question of how restorative justice can contribute to dealing with the consequences of extremism and violence. I began with a theoretical introduction to the fundamental principles of restorative justice. The central idea was that crime and violence should not be understood merely as violations of rules, but primarily as violations of people, relationships, and communities. Restorative justice therefore examines the impact of an act on those affected, who can take responsibility for the resulting harm, and what steps are necessary to promote healing, reparation, and social participation. It was particularly important to me to highlight the perspective of those affected. While criminal proceedings often focus on the act and the perpetrator, restorative justice focuses on the experiences, needs, and consequences for those directly and indirectly affected. Especially in the context of extremist crimes, this represents an important complement to existing approaches.

In the second part of the workshop, participants were able to experience the principles of restorative justice firsthand. In a circle simulation set in a fictional prison, they assumed different roles and perspectives. In addition to those directly affected and those responsible for the crimes, members of civil society were also included. The aim was to make the dynamics of a restorative dialogue tangible and to highlight the diverse needs, feelings, and responsibilities involved. The participants' active participation demonstrated how quickly a trusting and constructive exchange can emerge when people are given the opportunity to shift perspectives and listen to one another. Numerous comments made it clear that the emotional depth of the exercise and the consistent inclusion of the perspective of those affected were particularly enriching. For some participants, this opened up a new perspective on their own professional practice and the question of how those affected can be more effectively involved in the future.

What was particularly impressive was the openness with which the participants shared their experiences, questions, and uncertainties. The workshop demonstrated that restorative justice is not just a methodological approach, but also an attitude: the willingness to listen to people, promote responsibility, and create spaces for encounter and understanding.

The conference as a whole impressively demonstrated the added value that interdisciplinary networking and collaborative learning can bring to extremism prevention. New contacts were established, collaborations initiated, and ideas for future practice developed. For me, the event was an encouraging example of how different professions can engage in dialogue to jointly consider effective and humane approaches to dealing with conflict, violence, and social tensions.