Workshop of our international working group on Restorative Justice in closed systems at the third International Conference of the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ)

Foto: privat

For four days, a central question was discussed in Poznań: How does restorative justice change people, relationships, institutions, and ultimately societies?

Under the title "Echoes of Restorative Encounters: Voices, Evidence, and the Ripple Effects of Restorative Justice in Action," the 13th International Conference of the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) brought together people from all over the world from June 10 to 13, 2026. Around 330 participants from 36 countries came to Poland to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and reflect together on the future of restorative justice. What made this conference particularly special for me was not just the academic quality of the contributions. It was the diversity of perspectives. Academics, practitioners, victims, policymakers, and representatives of civil society discussed on equal footing how restorative approaches are effective today and what challenges lie ahead.

I was particularly pleased to have the opportunity to lead a workshop at the conference together with colleagues from the EFRJ working group "Restorative Justice and Imprisonment." Titled "User-Centered Approaches to Practice and Policy Design: The Case Study of Victims Entering Prison," our workshop presented an approach derived from user experience (UX) design, which is still rarely used in restorative justice. The starting point for our workshop was the question of what people need when they decide to participate in restorative justice proceedings within the prison system. Entering a correctional facility can be associated with uncertainty, loss of control, and anxiety. At the same time, this very step is an important prerequisite for many victims to receive answers to unanswered questions, to demand accountability, or to support their personal processing of their experiences. Together with the participants, we worked in several discussion groups and through shifts in perspective. Using a previously developed persona of a person affected by detention, participants took on different roles and traced the entire "journey" of such a person, from initial information about the process to entering the detention facility. We explored questions such as: What does the person feel at this moment? What obstacles might they encounter? What provides a sense of security? What strengthens self-determination and trust? The results were impressive. Although the participants came from very different countries and fields of practice, many common insights emerged. Transparent information, emotional safety, voluntariness, choices, sensitive preparation, and respecting the dignity of the person affected were repeatedly cited as key prerequisites.

For me, this workshop was a powerful example of how valuable shifts in perspective are in restorative justice. When we consistently consider services from the perspective of the people who are meant to use them, we not only create better procedures, but also fairer and more humane access. This, in my view, is one of the great strengths of restorative approaches: not viewing people as part of a system, but rather shaping the system from the perspective of the people.

A recurring theme at the conference was the importance of voices that are often underheard. Many presentations addressed the question of how experiences can be made visible. It became clear that the impact of restorative justice often extends far beyond what can be statistically measured. Trust, accountability, healing, reparation, and relationships cannot be expressed in numbers. Yet they profoundly shape lives. It was repeatedly emphasized that people with their own experiences are not only part of restorative processes but also important bearers of knowledge and experience for research, practice, and policy.

Another key focus was the question of evidence. How can we demonstrate that restorative justice works? Which methods do justice to the complexity of human experience? I was able to contribute effectively here, as these are precisely the questions I deal with in relation to the RJ circle dialogues in prison.

The discussions made it clear that this is not a conflict between stories and research. Rather, both are needed: robust scientific findings and the personal experiences of people who have undergone restorative processes. Only the interplay of both perspectives allows for a comprehensive understanding of impact.

Particularly inspiring was the multitude of contributions that understood restorative justice not merely as a method of conflict resolution, but above all as a societal approach and attitude. Restorative practices in prisons, youth services, schools, neighborhoods, healthcare, and community work were discussed. The question of how restorative values can contribute to greater participation, dialogue, and social cohesion was a recurring theme. It became clear that restorative justice unfolds its greatest impact where it is understood not as a single procedure, but as an attitude—an attitude that invites people to take responsibility, strengthen relationships, and view conflicts as opportunities for growth.

Besides the lectures and workshops, it was the encounters between participants that truly shaped the conference. Conversations during breaks, spontaneous discussions after sessions, and new international contacts made it clear to me just how vibrant and diverse the global restorative justice community has become.

The four days in Poznań (including the pre-practical day) showed me that restorative justice is gaining importance worldwide. At the same time, it also became clear to me that many questions remain unanswered: How can we make the impact more visible? How can we reach more people? How can we implement restorative values into societal structures and change them sustainably?