Restorative justice is a framework for guiding actions, rather than a particular program or fixed set of practices. As such, questions often arise when attempting to implement restorative justice processes. While there is no blueprint or set of precise instructions, there are common values, such as respect and mutual responsibility, as well as certain conditions that increase the likelihood of success in the implementation phase. These conditions include a commitment from the top and bottom of the criminal justice system, a strong partnership between community members and the justice system, and active involvement of victims and victim advocates. While statutes aimed at restorative justice have been enacted in some States, legislative action and statutory changes have not been central in the development and growth of restorative justice processes. The author discusses how to assess the effectiveness of restorative justice practices and lists several characteristics of practices that are currently working, such as practices that increase the opportunity for victim involvement, practices that encourage offenders to take responsibility for the harm done, and practices that increase the capacity for self-regulation in individuals and communities. Next, an overview of current research is presented that reviews the effectiveness of restorative justice practices, including public opinion research that demonstrates a strong public desire for a restorative approach to criminal offending. One of the main goals of a restorative justice approach is to strengthen communities; the author offers several examples of restorative justice practices that have displayed effectiveness at building community cohesion. Finally, the author reflects on how to assess outcomes in restorative justice work, which should begin with the question of how restorative justice interventions impact on the lives of participants. References