What is Restorative Justice?
Restorative justice brings those harmed by crime or conflict and those responsible for the harm into communication, enabling everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward. This is part of a wider field called restorative practice.
This report by the Department of Justice Northern Ireland found that restorative justice youth conferences offer an inclusive, problem-solving and forward-looking response to offending, in which the victim plays an important role. Reoffending rates are lower than for most other sanctions and victim satisfaction is high.
The report makes recommendations to ensure that direct victim attendance is maximised, plans are relevant and proportionate and the incidence of multiple youth conferences is reduced through greater use of discretion by conference co-ordinators.
A process whereby all parties with a stake in a particular offence come together to resolve collectively how to deal with the aftermath of the offence and it’s implicatons for the future. (Marshall, 1996)
In the Restorative Justice approach to crime and conflict:-
– The victim’s perspective is central to deciding how to repair the harm that’s been caused
– The offenders are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions
– The full extent of the victim’s suffering is acknowledged
– The victim’s needs determine what is needed to put things right
– Restoration replaces punishment as the best way forward for all involved
Restorative justice views crime as more than breaking the law – it also causes harm to people, relationships, and the community. So a just response must address those harms as well as the wrongdoing. If the parties are willing, the best way to do this is to help them meet to discuss those harms and how to about bring resolution. Other approaches are available if they are unable or unwilling to meet. Sometimes those meetings lead to transformational changes in their lives.
Notice three big ideas: (1) repair: crime causes harm and justice requires repairing that harm; (2) encounter: the best way to determine how to do that is to have the parties decide together; and (3) transformation: this can cause fundamental changes in people, relationships and communities.
A more formal definition is this: Restorative Justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behaviuor. It is best accomplished through cooperative processes that allow all willing stakeholders to meet, although other approaches are available when that is impossible. This can lead to transformation of people, relationships and communities.
The foundational principles of restorative justice have been summarized as follows:
If restorative justice were a building, it would have four cornerposts:
To review: restorative justice...
This report by the Department of Justice Northern Ireland found that restorative justice youth conferences offer an inclusive, problem-solving and forward-looking response to offending, in which the victim plays an important role. Reoffending rates are lower than for most other sanctions and victim satisfaction is high.
The report makes recommendations to ensure that direct victim attendance is maximised, plans are relevant and proportionate and the incidence of multiple youth conferences is reduced through greater use of discretion by conference co-ordinators.
A process whereby all parties with a stake in a particular offence come together to resolve collectively how to deal with the aftermath of the offence and it’s implicatons for the future. (Marshall, 1996)
- Restorative Justice offers a non-violent, human response to the hurt and harm anti-social behaviour does to victims and to the whole community.
- It seeks to heal wounds, repair broken relationships, and work towards a better future for everyone.
In the Restorative Justice approach to crime and conflict:-
– The victim’s perspective is central to deciding how to repair the harm that’s been caused
– The offenders are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions
– The full extent of the victim’s suffering is acknowledged
– The victim’s needs determine what is needed to put things right
– Restoration replaces punishment as the best way forward for all involved
Restorative justice views crime as more than breaking the law – it also causes harm to people, relationships, and the community. So a just response must address those harms as well as the wrongdoing. If the parties are willing, the best way to do this is to help them meet to discuss those harms and how to about bring resolution. Other approaches are available if they are unable or unwilling to meet. Sometimes those meetings lead to transformational changes in their lives.
Notice three big ideas: (1) repair: crime causes harm and justice requires repairing that harm; (2) encounter: the best way to determine how to do that is to have the parties decide together; and (3) transformation: this can cause fundamental changes in people, relationships and communities.
A more formal definition is this: Restorative Justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behaviuor. It is best accomplished through cooperative processes that allow all willing stakeholders to meet, although other approaches are available when that is impossible. This can lead to transformation of people, relationships and communities.
The foundational principles of restorative justice have been summarized as follows:
- Crime causes harm and justice should focus on repairing that harm.
- The people most affected by the crime should be able to participate in its resolution.
- The responsibility of the government is to maintain order and of the community to build peace.
If restorative justice were a building, it would have four cornerposts:
- Inclusion of all parties
- Encountering the other side
- Making amends for the harm
- Reintegration of the parties into their communities
To review: restorative justice...
- is a different way of thinking about crime and our response to crime
- focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime and reducing future harm through crime prevention
- requires offenders to take responsibility for their actions and for the harm they have caused
- seeks redress for victims, recompense by offenders and reintegration of both within the community
- requires a cooperative effort by communities and the government