The purpose of this study is to gain a better understanding of existing literature regarding the effectiveness of restorative justice (RJ). A mixed-methods study was conducted to determine what factors influence the effectiveness and success of the RJ process. The term “effective” has been operationalized to mean resulting in the reduction of recidivism rates. The intention of this research project was to provide an informative report in the field of law enforcement and public safety. This study sought to answer the research question: is restorative justice effective at reducing recidivism rates, and if so, how?
