About
Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative
The Jesuit Restorative Justice Initiative (JRJI) is a faith-rooted ministry grounded in the Ignatian tradition and committed to transforming lives impacted by incarceration, violence, and systemic injustice.
Founded in 2009 by Fr. Michael Kennedy, SJ, JRJI accompanies those who are incarcerated — as well as their families, victims of crime, and surrounding communities — through spiritual retreats, education, advocacy, and healing outreach.
Our mission is to:
- Reveal the inherent dignity of every human being,
- Create space for personal and communal transformation,
- And cultivate a more restorative, rather than punitive, approach to justice.
Inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, we bring contemplative prayer into prison settings, forming faith communities behind bars. Participants engage in reflection, storytelling, and discernment — encountering God in a personal way, even in the most unlikely places.
“The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”
Rumi
Team
Meet Our Team
Our work would not be possible without the service and support of our fantastic volunteers and the Jesuit Novices of the Jesuit Novitiate of the Three Companions of the Society of Jesus. They receive training on Ignatian spirituality and help lead JRJI retreats facilitated in California state prisons or local communities.
Jose Luis Plascencia
Chief of Staff
Bianca Lopez
Director of Administration
Collin Price, S.J.
Director of Publications
Leticia Coronado
Bookkeeper / Administrative Assistant
Luisa Borrego
Office Care
Jon Cantalini, nSJ
Jesuit Novice
The Crossing