Restorative justice

1. Restorative justice has to be voluntary for all parties and seeks a positive outcome.  It is respectful and not degrading for either offender or victim.

2. A supervised meeting is organised, where a trained mediator will be present. It gives the victim the opportunity to confront the offender and allows the offender to reflect on their crimes.

3. This has been established in order to create clear standards for the use of restorative justice - it is allowed to be used in schools, hospitals, workplaces, communities and prisons.

The process of restorative justice

1. How is restorative justice meant to help patients feel?

2. Who is involved in the supervised meeting?

3. What is the restorative justice council?

• Focus on acceptance of responsibility and positive change for people who harm others; less emphasis on punishment 

• Not restricted to courtrooms, survivors (the term 'victim' is avoided) and those responsible for harm may choose to meet face-to-face in a non-courtroom setting 

• Active rather than passive involvement of all parties wherever possible 

• Focus on positive outcomes for survivors and those who have engaged in wrongdoing 

• Not all schemes involve meeting -instead the offender may make financial restitution or repair damaged property 

• In Youth Offending it can be an add-on to community service

The shared features of schemas

• Rehabilitation of offenders

• Benefit for wider society

• Victim’s perspective

what are the 3 aims of restorative justice?

Victim has the opportunity to explain the real impact of the crime and this enables the offender to understand the effects on the victim. Reducing the possibility of reoffending.

what is the rehabilitation of offenders aim of restorative justice?

Some crimes may have had an impact upon society rather than an individual. Offenders can show an understanding of the effects of their actions on the community.

what is the benefit for wider society aim of restorative justice?

This can reduce their sense of victimisation because they are no longer powerless and have a voice - helps to feel empowered in the situation. Can also develop a greater understanding of the offender. 

what is the victim’s perspective aim of restorative justice?

1. The starting point should be on relationships rather than punishment. Crime harms people and relationships, justice helps to heal.

2. Three stakeholders must be involved, victim, offender and community to be fully restorative, otherwise mostly or partial justice will be achieved.

The theory of restorative justice

1. What does the theoretical framework involve?

2. Who must be involved?