This essay draws on the experience of the Dakota County (MN) Community Corrections Department to illustrate planning activities needed to prepare a department for fundamental changes in the approach to and delivery of restorative services. Moving a corrections department to adopt restorative justice as its mission requires creative leadership and vision, involvement of all agency staff members, and a commitment to long-term systemic change that is grounded in a spirit of collaboration, renewal and hope.

Source: Vanspauwen, K., Robert, L., Aertsen, I., Parmentier, S. (2003), Restorative Justice and Restorative Detention. A selected and annotated bibliography. Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid, Onderzoeksgroep Penologie en Victimologie.