Restorative Justice is an alternative approach to the current criminal system. This program has a new
perspective regarding conflict and its repercussions, allowing victims, offenders and other affected members to
participate actively in the response to crime.
It is built upon an integrated vision of justice that pursues fair punishments and healthy relationships, through
assumption of responsibility for the agent and reparation of the damages to the victims and the community.
The success of this program is mostly measured through the index of compliance with the agreements reached
during restorative processes and by contributing to reduce recidivism levels.
Restorative practices are relevant in many contexts, being effective in non-criminal situations, including
conflicts in schools, families and institutions.
In this context, the Institute of Social and Political Sciences (ISCSP) of the Universidade de Lisboa created the
Observatory and Center of Competences in Restorative Justice (OCCRJ), based on a partnership signed
with Confiar-PF/Portugal – pioneer in Restorative Justice projects and representative of the world’s largest
voluntary organization working with prisons, with more than 30 years of experience in this field.
The Observatory, along with national and international institutions, is committed to launching the bases for the
implementation of a Restorative Justice policy, along with alternative and complementary means of Justice in
Portugal.
The Observatory and Center for Competences in Restorative Justice has the following strategic priorities:
- Provide training in Restorative Justice in Municipalities (Social Assistants and Schools, including
teaching and non-teaching staff), Centre for Judicial Studies, Prison Establishments and Educational
Centres; - Supply certificated training to auditors and facilitators, in Restorative Justice;
- Contribute to the prevention of deviant behavior in the community and particularly among at- risk
youth; - Raise awareness to the rehabilitation process of prisoners;
- Organize and submit applications to national and international research projects;
- Monitor, diagnose, measure and evaluate the outcome and impacts of the proposed measures (ex-ante
evaluation) and implemented (ex-post evaluation).