JUSTIÇA RESTAURATIVA PARA ADOLESCENTES EM CONFLITO COM A LEI: UMA ANÁLISE DO RACISMO INSTITUCIONAL E O PAPEL TRANSFORMADOR DA EDUCAÇÃO.

This study aims to explore restorative justice as an alternative to the traditional criminal justice system, focusing on the reality of adolescents in conflict with the law. We analyze how social and economic factors such as poverty, lack of access to education, social exclusion, and institutional racism influence the delinquent behavior of these young people. To support the discussion, we draw on the contributions of Silvio Luiz de Almeida, who, in Racismo Estrutural (2020), demonstrates how racism is embedded in institutions and directly impacts the lives of vulnerable youth, and Darcy Ribeiro, whose works reveal how historical and social exclusions have shaped inequalities in Brazil. The research is also based on the guidelines of the Statute of the Child and Adolescent and Law No. 12,594/2012, which established the National SocioEducational Service System (Sinase). Within this context, we explore how restorative justice can offer a more inclusive approach, grounded in collaboration, consensus, and the repair of harm, rather than focusing solely on punishment. We believe that this practice can not only repair the harm caused by young offenders but also deconstruct discriminatory and exclusionary practices, such as institutional racism. Authors like Wilton Bisi Leonel and Leonardo Sica reinforce the idea that it is possible to transform the justice system by shifting from a punitive focus to one of reconciliation and repair. For this transformation to happen, we argue that the implementation of restorative justice should be accompanied by integrated public policies, with an emphasis on education, professional training, and psychosocial support. This proposal aligns with the ideas of Paulo Freire, who stresses the importance of dialogue and awareness as essential tools for transforming social relations and building a more just and equal society.