A different approach to youth justice is showing results in Minnesota

Across Minnesota, communities are finding new ways to respond when people make mistakes. With support from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Office of Restorative Practices, counties and community partners are building programs that focus on accountability, healing, and stronger futures for Minnesotans.

Minnesota is the only state in the country with a dedicated Office of Restorative Practices at the state level. The office provides grants, technical assistance, and guidance to help communities develop restorative programs that keep people connected to their families, schools, and communities while repairing harm and strengthening relationships between those involved. 

One example is Ramsey County’s (Re)Imagining Justice for Youth initiative, which diverts some youth cases away from traditional courts and into community-based accountability programs built on restorative practices.

Early results from Ramsey County’s initiative, supported by research from the University of Minnesota, show significantly lower reoffending rates and improved long-term outcomes, including higher graduation and employment rates and stronger community safety. 

“When communities come together to support young people and address harm in meaningful ways, we create better outcomes for families and stronger communities.”
— Commissioner Tikki Brown, Department of Children, Youth, and Families 

Understanding restorative practices

Traditional justice systems often focus on two questions: what law was broken, and what punishment should follow. Restorative practices take a different approach. Instead of focusing only on punishment, restorative processes center on repairing harm and strengthening relationships.

These conversations focus on questions such as:

• Who was harmed
• What led to the situation
• What those affected need
• Who is responsible for repairing the harm

Restorative practices often take place through facilitated circles or conferences. These gatherings bring together the people most affected by the harm.

Participants may include the:

• Person who experienced harm
• Person responsible for the harm
• Family members or supporters
• Community members or advocates

Together, participants discuss what happened and agree on steps that can repair harm and rebuild trust. These agreements may include community service, restitution, counseling, or other actions that help the person take responsibility while continuing to grow and learn.

Ramsey County’s community accountability model

Ramsey County’s (Re)Imagining Justice for Youth initiative uses restorative practices and community accountability processes to respond to certain youth offenses such as lower-level or non-violent cases outside of the traditional court system.

Instead of immediately entering formal court proceedings, eligible cases are reviewed through a collaborative process involving legal partners and community organizations. When appropriate, youth are referred to community accountability programs facilitated by trained practitioners.

These programs help participants understand the impact of their actions, repair harm, and build stronger connections with the people around them. The approach emphasizes accountability while recognizing that young people are still developing and benefit from guidance, support, and opportunities to learn from mistakes.

Results show growing use and stronger outcomes

Data from the initiative shows the approach is growing and getting results. More cases are now being handled through community accountability, increasing from 18% to 25% of cases sent to the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. The program is also being used for more types of cases, including more serious ones. Felony cases increased from 2% to 23% of community accountability cases. Young people are also less likely to reoffend. In recent years, only 4% of youth reoffended within one year, compared to 29% for those whose cases went through the traditional court process.

State support for restorative approaches

DCYF plays an important role in helping communities build restorative justice programs.

Through the Office of Restorative Practices, the department provides:

• Grants that help communities launch or expand restorative programs
• Technical assistance and training for practitioners and facilitators
• Guidance for counties and community organizations building restorative systems

This statewide support helps ensure communities have the resources and expertise needed to implement restorative practices effectively.
Programs like Ramsey County’s initiative are one example of how this investment is helping communities test new approaches that support both accountability and positive youth development.

What the results are showing

Communities that have implemented restorative and community accountability programs are seeing promising outcomes.

Early findings from Ramsey County’s (Re)Imagining Justice for Youth initiative, including research conducted with the University of Minnesota, suggest that youth who participate in restorative processes are less likely to return to the justice system compared with similar youth whose cases move through traditional court systems.

“Young people deserve the opportunity to learn from mistakes, repair harm, and move forward with the support of their families and communities.”
— Commissioner, Tikki Brown

These outcomes suggest restorative approaches can strengthen accountability while helping young people learn from mistakes and move forward in healthier ways.

Restorative programs help people stay connected to supportive families, schools, and communities while taking responsibility and learning from mistakes. Programs like Ramsey County’s initiative show how this approach strengthens youth, families, and neighborhoods. As more communities across Minnesota explore restorative approaches, these efforts continue to build stronger, more connected systems of support for children, youth, and families.