Can restorative justice reshape institutional culture in prisons?

What happens when restorative justice moves beyond the courtroom and into the prison- not just for those incarcerated, but for the staff and institutions that hold power over them?

This question was at the centre of a presentation by Decildo Ferreira Lopes, Judge of the Court of Justice of the State of Goiás, Brazil, at The Australian National University on 31 March 2026.

Judge Lopes shared findings from a compelling ongoing research project examining whether, and under what conditions, restorative justice can contribute to reshaping institutional culture within Brazil’s prison system.

The study is situated within a significant challenge facing the country's penal system. Brazil's Federal Supreme Court has declared the prison system an "unconstitutional state of affairs" and determined that restorative justice must be incorporated across the criminal justice system.

Drawing on empirical and ethnographic fieldwork conducted inside prison units, including restorative circles and interviews with prison staff, the research explored how restorative justice may influence professional practice, interpretations of institutional mission, and approaches to harm.

A particular focus of the study is the use of restorative practices with prison officers, offering new insights into how institutional cultures can change from within.

The event was chaired by ACT Corrections Commissioner Leanne Close. Judge Lopes also reflected on how a research visit to ANU has contributed to refining the study's theoretical and methodological framework, situating the Brazilian experience within broader international debates on restorative justice and institutional transformation.

This event was organised by The Centre for Social Policy Research (POLIS) and supported by RegNet's Centre for Restorative Justice.