This talk explores the colonial dimensions embedded in restorative justice practices, using Jamaica’s justice policy reform as a focal point. While restorative justice is often considered a modern approach to dispute resolution, its roots trace back to long standing traditions of restitution, particularly in non-Western societies. Historically, restorative practices have been tailored to the specific political, cultural, and economic contexts of communities, as seen in indigenous models from Canada and New Zealand. However, with the rise of globalisation, restorative justice has increasingly been reshaped by a Western “best-practice” model that imposes a one-size-fits-all approach, often neglecting the cultural specificity essential to its success.
This presentation critiques the adoption of Westernised restorative justice frameworks in Jamaica, arguing that they compromise the practice’s core functions: addressing victims’ needs, fostering offender accountability, and empowering community-led justice. By examining the implementation of these policies, it demonstrates how the standardised approach undermines the local efficacy of restorative justice, reducing its capacity to engage communities and achieve meaningful justice. To truly fulfil its purpose, restorative justice must be decolonised, embracing indigenous practices and adapting to local contexts.
Dr. Leanne Levers is a political scientist with expertise in justice reform, strategic advocacy, policy development, and communications. Her work spans global health, gender equality, and racial justice, with a particular focus on advancing legislative reforms addressing gender-based violence, maternal health, and human rights. Leanne is also the co-founder of the multi-award-winning platform Dope Black Women CIC, which empowers Black women and non-binary individuals across the diaspora. Leanne’s first book, Decolonising Restorative Justice: A Case of Policy Reform (2023), offers a critical analysis of restorative justice (RJ) policymaking in the Global South, using Jamaica as a case study. Her PhD research, as an extension of her doctoral research, highlights how Jamaica’s political, cultural, legal, and economic contexts shape the RJ policy process, with a focus on the integration of RJ principles into both policy development and practice. Leanne currently serves as the Director of Advocacy and Communications at Comotion, where she leads campaigns that promote transformative change. She remains committed to reshaping justice policy on both local and global scales.
