West Virginia Restorative Justice Summit 2024 comes to Buckhannon, West Virginia

The West Virginia Restorative Justice Project is excited to announce the upcoming West Virginia Restorative Justice Summit, scheduled for June 14-15, 2024, at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon. This event will bring together diverse voices working to understand the challenges of persons interacting with education, legal, and other institutions and how restorative justice may help meet those challenges.

Exhibitors and Art Exhibits

The summit will feature two compelling art exhibits: “Inside Out: Incarceration” and “Still Doing Life.” “Still Doing Life” features the photographs of restorative justice author Howard Zehr and narratives edited by Barb Towes. Both authors will participate via videoconference to answer questions about their exhibit.  Information about this exhibit can be found at https://thenewpress.com/books/still-doing-life.

“Inside Out: Incarceration” features work from inmates in Huttonsville Correctional Center, the Mount Olive Correction Campus, and the Work Camp, among other institutions. The event will highlight several engaging exhibitors bringing diverse voices to the restorative justice

community. These include the Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center, West Virginia Healing Home, West Virginia University College of Law, Living Justice Press, and Libera. Attendees will be able to explore these exhibits and engage with these organizations.

Keynote Speaker and Sessions

The summit will feature Valerie Slater, Executive Director of the RISE for Youth Coalition, as the keynote speaker. Slater will provide valuable insights into innovative approaches for addressing systemic challenges youth in the justice system face. Other notable speakers include Jim Nolan, a professor at West Virginia University, and Federal Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi, who will share their expertise on restorative justice and its applications.

Event Details

 The summit will offer over 30 breakout sessions covering various aspects of restorative justice in schools, courts, and communities. Lawyers, peer recovery specialists, and licensed professional counselors may be eligible to receive continuing education credits. The event will also include a live music performance by Lua Flora, providing attendees with a relaxing and enjoyable evening.

The West Virginia Restorative Justice Project promotes restorative justice principles and practices throughout the state. Through education, advocacy, and community engagement, the project aims to transform the justice system into one that prioritizes healing, accountability, and reconciliation.

For media inquiries, please contact Mackenzie Collins, Conference Coordinator. Email:

WVRJSummit@gmail.com or by telephone at 304-728-3660