Restorative Reentry: A Strategy to Improve Reentry Outcomes by Enhancing Social Capital

Abstract

A challenging question facing policy makers in the criminal justice arena is how to best encourage the safe and effective reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals in such a way that they become well-integrated and productive members of our communities. This article argues that blending theoretical components of restorative justice with strategies thought to improve social capital may result in better long-term outcomes of the reentry process. Policy recommendations are offered for constructing restorative reentry programs that promote evidence based outcomes.

Keywords:

• restorative justice
• reentry
• social capital