The use of restorative practices to reduce prison gang violence: Lessons on transforming cultures of violence

Abstract

In 2016, one of the largest and most violent prisons in Brazil trained staff to use restorative circles to help mediate gang‐related conflicts. To better understand how restorative practices are envisioned and being implemented in this setting, and to evaluate the likelihood that this project continues, semistructured interviews were conducted with prisoners and institutional staff. We argue that, although the initial levels of violence are reportedly lower, understandings of restorative philosophies are filtered through a narrow security rationale that limits institutional and cultural change.