What are "restorative practices" in juvenile justice primarily aimed at?

Restorative practices in juvenile justice focus on repairing relationships and addressing root causes of behavior. These practices emphasize the importance of understanding and discussing the harm caused by a juvenile's actions, promoting accountability, and fostering healing for both the victim and the offender. The goal is to create a supportive environment that facilitates dialogue among all parties involved, allowing for a deeper exploration of the underlying issues that may have contributed to criminal behavior.

This approach contrasts with punitive measures that solely focus on punishment without addressing the factors that lead to juvenile offenses. By prioritizing relationship repair and root cause analysis, restorative practices aim to reduce recidivism and help juveniles reintegrate into their communities in a more positive way.