In today’s episode, we hear from Rhiannon about restorative justice, therapeutic horticulture, and how their intersection can present alternatives to the carceral justice system for young adults. Rhiannon shares about the experience of working in a gardening program at the juvenile justice complex in Northeast Portland and how this experience profoundly changed Rhiannon’s life. Tune in to hear more about how gardening can cultivate belonging, community, and confidence for young people, as well as how this research might lead to long-term policy changes in the future.

Reed community members can read Rhiannon’s thesis, “Planting the Seeds of Belonging: Restorative Justice and Therapeutic Horticulture with Justice-Involved Youths,” online in the Electronic Thesis Archive.