Positive Impact of Restorative Practices at CSF Buxmont Academy, Pennsylvania
McCold, Paul and Ansik Chang, "Community Service Foundation and Buxmont Academy (CSF Buxmont): Analysis of Students Discharged During Three School Years (2003-2006)," International Institute for Restorative Practices (June 2008).
This paper reports on the third phase of an ongoing study, in progress since 1999, which highlights decreases in offending among 3,928 youth discharged from Community Service Foundation and Buxmont Academy’s (CSF Buxmont’s) restorative programs. The results of all three studies show a dramatic decline in offending rates, achieved through the systematic use of restorative practices.
CSF Buxmont operates eight school/day treatment programs in Pennsylvania. They are non-secure community treatment settings for adjudicated delinquent and at-risk youth. Students are referred from schools, children and youth services, and juvenile probation. The programs use “restorative practices,” which focus on repairing the harm done to people and relationships rather than on punishing offenders. In education, restorative circles and groups provide opportunities for students to share their feelings, build relationships and problem-solve, and when there is wrongdoing, to play an active role in addressing the wrong and making things right.
A total of 2,151 students were discharged from CSF Buxmont programs from 2003 to 2006. During this period, researchers found after leaving Buxmont, offending rates decreased by 52% for youth participating in the Buxmont school day programs for less than 6 months, and by 72% for those participating for more than 6 months.