Though Eastern State Penitentiary closed its doors as a prison more than 40 years ago, the 19th-century facility continues to play an active role in the modern exploration of the criminal-justice system.

On Feb. 2, Eastern State Penitentiary (2027 Fairmount Ave.) will host a community discussion led by Barbie Fischer, executive director of Restorative Encounters, a nonprofit that works to advance principles of restorative justice.

“Restorative justice is a practice based on various indigenous cultures around the world,” Fischer explained.

“Traditionally, in our criminal-justice system today, people ask, ‘What kind of crime occurred? Who committed it? And what punishment do they deserve?’ But with restorative justice, you ask, ‘What harm has occurred? What needs has this created? And who’s obligated to meet those needs?’”

Fischer said the harm-focused approach allows the discussion to be more victim-and community-centered than is possible in traditional criminal-justice practices.

“Some folks think this idea is more offender-orientated, but it’s really more community-focused,” she said. “It’s an effort to include more stakeholders. For instance, if you have a break-in at your home, it doesn’t just affect the person whose home is broken into, but the neighbors are also now living in fear that it could happen to them. So a restorative approach looks at how we could address the greater needs of the whole community.”

In addition to overviewing the concept, Fischer will give participants at next week’s session a glimpse into the practical application of restorative justice.

Restorative Encounters has worked with residents from Graterford, a Pennsylvania state prison — “we choose to call them residents instead of inmates because it brings the humanity back to them as opposed to defining them by one act they’ve done,” Fischer noted — to pioneer the facility’s own restorative-justice program. That initiative is now spreading to other prisons; Fischer said maximum-security Sing Sing Correctional Facility has consulted with her agency about bringing such a program to fruition.

Restorative approaches can also be taken when it comes to re-entry, she added, with particular attention given to the needs of the families and communities to whom previously incarcerated individuals are returning.

“Restorative justice is a surprisingly fascinating subject, with a lot of momentum behind it,” said Sean Kelley, senior vice president and director of interpretation at Eastern State. “It’s definitely a rising trend in the criminal-justice field, so we’re excited to hear from an expert on this topic.”

Fischer’s talk is part of Eastern State’s monthly Searchlight Series, which offers expert takes on crime, justice and the American prison system. The free events, held the first Tuesday of the month, feature an approximately 45-minute address by the guest expert, followed by an informal Q&A session and socializing over snacks and wine.

Kelley said the speakers intentionally make the material relatable and applicable to non-expert audiences; the sessions usually draw a mixed crowd of neighbors from the Fairmount area and stakeholders in the criminal-justice community. Organizers often poll the audience on their interests to generate ideas for future Searchlight topics.

“We want to bring in a diversity of voices, multiple perspectives, on the criminal-justice system,” Kelley said. “The speakers pare down the broad strokes of what they’re doing into these really thought-provoking and interesting discussions.”

Fischer said talking about criminal-justice issues within the context of a historic prison drives home the realities of the imprisonment.

“It’s a unique experience because here you are in an old prison learning about the impact of prisons on our communities, our state and our world and talking about how we can help alleviate some of the burden and harm the system has created,” she said. “It’s neat to be able to talk about prison reforms in an old prison; it gives you a different feel for the plight of those who are incarcerated.”

Eastern State Penitentiary presents Barbie Fischer’s session on restorative justice from 6-7 p.m. Feb. 2. No reservations are required. For more information, visit www.easternstate.org.