Case Study: Restorative Justice in A Minnesota Recovery School
Riestenberg, Nancy, “PEASE Academy: The Restorative Recovery School,” Restorative Practice E-Forum, International Institute for Restorative Practices (July 2005).
This article focuses on recovery schools where students are committed to their recovery from chemical dependency and addiction while becoming successful students. The author details the integration by the PEASE Academy in Minneapolis of the circle process and other restorative principles into its program. Riestenberg explains that the idea of the circle process is to allow each student’s voice to be heard thereby developing respect amongst the students and faculty. One teacher at PEASE suggested that respect could be the reason why many students who are expelled for breaking the rules by using illegal substances often return to the school upon completion of further treatment. Riestenberg explores the differences between circle and group therapy and emphasizes how these differences further contribute to the feelings of respect and trust between students and staff.
Relevant Link: http://fp.enter.net/restorativepractices/peaseacademy.pdf