The Restorative Justice Program began in 1997 with a pilot course that surpassed enrolment expectations. Since that time, over 400 students have participated in the program. Given that the Kingston area has ten federal and provincial correctional facilities, the program was established in partnership with Correctional Service of Canada. Whether participating in the Restorative Justice as a diploma or degree student, the program draws individuals engaged in the criminal justice system or those entertaining aspirations of working with people in conflicted situations.

The Restorative Justice Program is held annually in the spring (usually three courses offered consecutively in the first three weeks of May), followed by a 200 hour supervised field placement. A team, including the Restorative Justice Program Director, has delivered Queen's School of Religion Restorative Justice courses to groups in South Africa, India and Rwanda. The Queen's School of Religion also has received two international groups (from 55 countries) to study Restorative Justice.

The strength and uniqueness of the program is the breadth of experience of the instructors, the all-encompassing course content and the diversity of the student body. In a recent journal of The Association of Theological Schools, the Restorative Justice Program was cited as "an exemplary model of how students can be formed for public service."

We will not be offering courses in Restorative Justice in Summer 2012.