Natasha Teresa Jolly, PhD Candidate, National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Otago
 
"Restorative Justice Dialogue: An Essential Guide to Research and Practice is a book that lives up to its title. For both lay reader and academic scholar alike, it serves as a much needed foundational reader on the past, present and future of restorative practices, especially interpersonal dialogic processes. Authors Mark Umbreit and Marilyn Peterson Armour draw on their manifold experience and expertise in the field, to hold a mirror up to contemporary challenges and concerns, while succinctly tracking the successful development of the Restorative Justice (RJ) framework over 30 years. It has grown from a nebulous concept to a viable form of conflict resolution. The essence of this book lies in its portrayal of RJ, not as a mere time bound strategy or program to settle a dispute but as a long-term, process- oriented and value-based movement to transform lifestyles and mindsets. Drawn from Navajo, Maori and other indigenous models of relational justice, as well as pre-11th century notions of crime, the RJ movement was resurrected in the 1970s in the United States and Canada. Today, it has been embraced by the United Nations and has brought about systemic changes in several countries across the world. Evidence based practice of Victim-Offender Mediation (VOM), Family Group Conferencing (FGC), Peacemaking Cirlces (PC) and Community Reparation Boards reveal a decrease in recidivism, an increase in victim satisfaction and high adherence to restitution agreements..."