Bridging Classroom and Community: Integrating Restorative Justice Education and Practice

Presenter: Heather Pruss – Criminal Justice Studies, Bellarmine University

This panel explores a collaboration between Volunteers of America Restorative Justice (VOARJ), a Louisville-based initiative, and a university professor who integrates VOARJ’s restorative justice practices into her course. VOARJ facilitates resolutions between youth harmed by crime and those responsible, offering an alternative to traditional justice systems. The professor, a VOARJ facilitator, developed a syllabus incorporating VOARJ’s training, discussions, and role-play exercises, positioning students to volunteer with VOARJ by semester’s end. This partnership meets VOARJ’s need for trained volunteers while equipping future justice professionals with restorative skills, fostering a cultural shift toward community-focused conflict resolution.