Restorative Justice: Promoting Positive Outcomes for Victims and Offenders
Restorative justice is an approach to justice that focuses on the needs of the victims and offenders, instead of satisfying abstract legal principles or punishing the offender. It is an alternative to traditional criminal justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused by crime and restoring relationships between victims and offenders. This approach has been used in criminal justice systems around the world, and research has shown it to be effective in promoting positive outcomes for both victims and offenders.
Restorative justice processes involve a range of activities, including victim-offender mediation, family group conferencing, circle sentencing, and community reparative boards. Each process emphasizes different aspects of restorative justice, but all are designed to create an opportunity for victims, offenders, and community members to come together and work towards a solution that meets the needs of everyone involved.
The primary goal of restorative justice is to promote healing and reconciliation between victims and offenders, and between the community and those who have caused harm. This goal is achieved by focusing on repairing the harm caused by crime and restoring relationships, rather than simply punishing the offender. Restorative justice processes can be used to address a wide range of crimes, from minor offenses to major felonies.
Research has shown that restorative justice can be effective in reducing recidivism and promoting positive outcomes for both victims and offenders. Studies have found that restorative justice processes can provide victims with a sense of closure and a greater understanding of the offender’s motivation. They can also provide offenders with an opportunity to take responsibility for their actions and to work towards repairing the harm they have caused.
Restorative justice is not a substitute for traditional criminal justice, but it can be a powerful tool for promoting positive outcomes for victims and offenders. It is important for practitioners to have an understanding of the principles and processes of restorative justice so they can effectively apply it in their work.
References
Berger, S. (2020). Restorative justice: Definition, principles, and examples. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-restorative-justice-2794830
Dignan, J. (2020). What is restorative justice? Retrieved from https://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-restorative-justice.htm
Gordon, J., & McNeill, F. (2018). Restorative justice: A practical guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
McGarrell, E. F., & Perry, K. B. (2020). Restorative justice: A meta-analysis of its effects on recidivism. Criminology & Public Policy, 19(2), 351–386. https://doi.org/10.1111/1745-9133.12606
Williams, R. (2013). Restorative justice: An introduction. London: Routledge.