NACRJ Blog

Introducing the NACRJ Book Club By Joel Friesz, NACRJ Executive Director So many people within the NACRJ community have written or contributed to books about community justice, restorative justice, and related topics. My own bookshelf is filled with so many of these books, and they have all helped shape both my life and my work…

The Future Is Restorative: What Do We Do Once We Win? Some conference sessions stay with you long after everyone has gone home. Danielle Sered’s keynote at NACRJ’s 10th National Conference was one of them. Danielle joined us in New Orleans at a complicated time for our country and for people doing community and restorative…

NACRJ 10th National Conference Was More Than a Conference For four days in New Orleans, nearly 1,700 people came together from across the country. Restorative justice practitioners. Educators. Judges. Community organizers. Youth leaders. Survivors. Researchers. People who have spent decades doing this work and people attending their very first NACRJ conference. “Attending the NACRJ Conference…

National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) + Volunteer Opportunity As we mark National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) we want to take a moment to thank all those who volunteer their time in support of community and restorative justice across the country. It is the collective effort of these volunteers, in communities large and small, that continues…

Starting 2026 Together: January NACRJ Circle Gatherings Dear NACRJ Community, As we welcome a new year, we’re holding close the practices that ground us: reflection, gratitude, and the power of gathering in community. Over the past year, we’ve worked to create spaces that honor stories, connection, and shared learning, made possible by the care and…

Restorative Justice as a Human Right: Celebrating Human Rights Day On December 10, recognized globally as Human Rights Day, we are pleased to share the Manifesto for Restorative Justice and Human Rights, recently released by the European Forum for Restorative Justice. NACRJ contributed to the discussions that informed this document and is a proud signer.…

Honoring International Restorative Justice Week Every November, communities across the world come together to celebrate International Restorative Justice Week, a time to honor the growing global movement for a more just and equitable world. The origins of Restorative Justice Week trace back to 1975 in England, when prison chaplains launched a day of remembrance for…

The Website for the 10th NACRJ Conference is Live – Check It Out! The website for the 10th National Conference on Community and Restorative Justice is now live! Learn more about what to expect at the 2026 conference: preview the agenda, submit a proposal, become a sponsor, register and more! The website will continue to…

It’s Official: The Call for Breakout Session Proposals is OPEN for NACRJ 2026 Conference in New Orleans! The countdown is on! NACRJ is gearing up for the 10th National Conference on Community and Restorative Justice, and this one is going to be historic. From July 7–10, 2026, thousands of changemakers will gather in New Orleans,…

Share Your Input: Restorative Practices in Education Policy & Legislation Survey from NACRJ Dear NACRJ Community, The National Association of Community and Restorative Justice (NACRJ) is conducting a Restorative Practices in Education Policy and Legislation Impact Survey to better understand how state and federal policy affects restorative justice practices in K–12 educational settings. The survey…