The South Saint Paul Restorative Justice Council
The Circle
The Circle
Guidelines Poster (PDF)
The Circle is one of the processes used to enhance local community involvement in restoring justice. As with all restorative processes, the Circle is grounded in cultural values such as support, dignity, respect, trust, and accountability. Each individual in the Circle is treated as an equal and the process bridges the relationship between justice and the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of the community and its culture.
The Circle involves the following steps:
1. Opening the Circle
2. Agreeing on Common Values
3. Telling the Stories
4. Consensus Building
5. The Agreement
6. Closing the Circle
7. Follow-up
How the Circle Works
Participants are seated in a circle of chairs or on the floor – not around a table. The leader, known as the Keeper, prepares for the circle by:
1. Choosing the focus of the Circle based on the purpose of the particular Circle; and
2. Identifies positive elements based on what the group needs in order to move through a conflict and come to a peaceful understanding.
The key to communication within the Circle is the talking piece. It can be almost any small item but usually is something that is symbolic of the situation or connected to a feeling that the group may be experiencing.
Opening the Circle: The Keeper begins by welcoming and introducing the participants. The Keeper explains the guidelines and creates opportunities for all to speak.
Agreeing on Common Values: Participants each contribute the values under which the Circle will operate.
Telling the Stories: Participants share their story about the incident or events. Supporters, witnesses, members of the community and those directly involved talk about how the group can move forward to begin to repair the harm and restore relationships.
Consensus Building: The participants begin to move toward a solution by addressing questions such as:
What are the possible causes for the conflict?
What ideas can the Circle come up with to restore the relationship?
How can all participants be supportive in the solution?
Listen. Explore options. Participants form consensus, set expectations for each person involved, clarify the roles, check the agreement to be sure it is reasonable and that it is consistent with repairing the harm.
The Agreement: Together, members of the Circle form a plan for follow-up and accountability.
Close the Circle: The group will connect in some way, such as a hand shake, holding hands in the Circle, standing shoulder to shoulder or foot to foot (a favorite with upper elementary students), and share a reading or reflection to the close.
Follow-up: Participants reconvene on a schedule agreed upon in the Circle. Some incidents are successfully resolved after only one or two Circles. Others extend through various levels of healing, and may include Agreement Circles, Check-In Circles, and other purposeful Circles.
Suggested Questions and Comments for Keepers
Guide the Process:
“We ask you for suggestions to help the Circle move forward.”
Promote Equality:
“We all have something to contribute to the group that is meaningful.”
Generate Respect:
“We are all different but we have something to learn from each other.”
Share Responsibility:
“We all have a responsibility for finding solutions to problems.”
Encourage New Ideas:
“Every idea is welcome and helps us work together to find answers.”
Seek Solutions to Benefit Everyone:
“How can we find a way to meet the needs of all participants?”
Promote Consensus:
