AAJ Symposium 2025: Restorative Justice, Equity, & Renewal

When:  Jun 4, 2025 from 08:45 AM to 05:00 PM (ET)
Join us at the AAJ Symposium 2025, a transformative gathering dedicated to exploring and advancing the principles of restorative justice, equity, and renewal within our communities. This symposium aims to bring together thought leaders, practitioners, and community leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaborative efforts toward creating a more just and equitable society.
 
At this symposium, we will delve into the foundational principles of restorative justice, highlighting its potential to address harm, foster reconciliation, and rebuild trust within communities. Participants will gain insights into the practical application of restorative justice in various architectural contexts, from the justice system to diversion programs. Our focus on justice equity will examine inequalities and explore strategies for creating practices that uplift marginalized communities while improving outcomes. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about innovative approaches that promote social justice, reduce recidivism, and support individuals and communities in need. The theme of renewal will underscore the importance of continuous growth and adaptation in our pursuit of justice. Participants will be inspired to envision new possibilities for justice practices that prioritize human dignity, community empowerment, and sustainable change.
 
Join us for a compelling and thought-provoking experience that challenges us to reimagine justice and work collectively towards a future that works better for all.


Please register through the AIA25 website.  More details are below:

  • Are you already attending AIA25? Register for the ultimate, full, or one-day conference pass at AIA25, then you'll select this all-day symposium as an add-on for $149.
  • Are you not attending AIA25? If you are only planning to attend this symposium, you can get a symposia-only pass for $279.
  • Everyone: Whichever pass you choose, all registrations should be done on conferenceonarchitecture.com - use this link to register. Look for this event under "Workshops & Symposia", and select "SYM104 - AAJ Symposium". Please note that prices will go up after the early bird deadline of April 9!

Sponsorship Opportunities
Scholarship for Emerging Professionals

Full schedule

8:45am-opening remarks

9:00am-10:30am - Keynote

Building (IN) Justice
Dr. RaShall Brackney will explore the complex relationship between justice and architecture, highlighting the necessity of creating spaces and structures that minimize harm. She will examine how well-designed environments can promote inclusivity, equity, and fairness for all users. The discussion will include the integration of procedural justice principles into architectural design as a mechanism for social change, aiming to develop structures that reflect and uphold the principles of a just society.

Speaker:
RaShall M Brackney, Ph.D.
Distinguished Visiting Professor, George Mason University
Advanced Leadership Initiative Fellow, Harvard University (2024)
Chief of Police (former), Charlottesville, VA. 
Chief of Police (former), George Washington University 
Commander (retired), Pittsburgh Bureau of Police
Host: "Black Arm of the Law" Podcast


10:30-10:45am
Break

10:45-11:45am
Planning For The 10 Percent That Doesn't Leave Corrections

90%-95% of the correctional (prison) population will return to their communities while 5%-10% remain incarcerated. We will examine the remaining 10% within the justice system, why they are in custody long-term, and clarify the classification and psychology of this individual. An overview of Policy Research Associates' (PRA) Sequential Intercept Model (SIM) will analyze how people are intercepted into the justice system and ways to deflect, divert, detain individuals. Evidence-based, best practice design principles regarding operations, staffing, the built environment, and overall wellness for inmates, patients, and staff will be shared

Speakers:
Rosalie Howell, Assoc AIA
Design Professional II | Justice Designer
Dewberry Architects, Inc

Brooke Martin, AIA, NCARB, CCHP, LEED Green Associate
Senior Associate | Project Manager | Licensed Architect & Planner | Justice & Secure Healthcare SME
Dewberry Architects, Inc


11:45am-1:15pm
Vendor lunch

1:15-2:15pm
Implementation of AI within behavioral health and justice facilities


The introduction of artificial intelligence into courthouses and behavioral health facilities can revolutionize how surveillance is utilized. Through the lens of a behavioral health facility case study, we will examine the implications of design and engineering for AI in order to reduce security threats, enhance personnel and occupant safety, and maximize employee efficiency through the implementation of AI-powered video surveillance. In justice and rehabilitative facilities where public trust and safety is paramount, advanced design and engineering systems can reduce threats, dangers, and lawsuits.

Speakers:
Michael Comer
Vice President
JE Dunn Construction

Michael Goslinga, AIA
Partner
Hoefer Welker

Jace Henry
Regional Sales Manager, Strategic Accounts
Ambient AI

Chris Nelson, PE
Principal
R&N Security

2:15-3:15pm
Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment in Nashville, Tennessee

The Nashville Youth Campus for Empowerment (NYCE) recasts justice architecture as a source of healing within a community. By consolidating courts, youth pretrial facilities, housing, a respite center, and family services into a single, integrated site, NYCE embodies a commitment to trauma-informed living, working, and judicial environments. Both the normative design of the facility and its co-location of services streamline access to vital resources and foster a community-centered approach that addresses the root causes of justice involvement. All in all, NYCE serves as a model for how architecture can transform the justice system into a source of support, empowerment, and equity. 

Speakers:
Judge Sheila D.J. Calloway
Juvenile Court of Metropolitan Nashville & Davidson County 

Todd Orr, AIA
Principal and Senior Architect
DLR Group

José M. Jordan, RID, IIDA 
Principal and Interiors Leader
DLR Group

Julieanna Huddle
Executive Director
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Nashville

3:15-3:30pm Break

3:30-4:30pm
Incorporating access to justice principles in the planning and design of modern courthouses

Learn how access to justice and trauma informed planning and design principles can be incorporated to create modern, user-friendly courthouses that foster equity and inclusion in the justice system.  Many states across the country are replacing aging courts and justice infrastructure with safer, more technologically connected, and more efficient buildings to support the justice system. At the same time, the needs of the user seeking justice and fair and equitable treatment must be considered. As public forums for legal proceedings, courthouses have a duty to balance the needs of all parties. Learn how architects incorporate access to justice principles in the planning and design of modern courthouses and how the Commonwealth of MA is providing leadership in this effort.

Speaker:
Ryan Critchfield
Associate Principal
Treanor

4:30-5:00pm
Wrap-up/update on initiatives

Learning units
Attendees can earn 6.00 LUs/HSW for attending the whole day 

Location

Boston Convention & Exhibition Center
415 Summer St
Boston, MA 02210