restorative justice three

1. Who participates in a VOM session?

The victim and the offender work together to resolve the dispute without a third party taking over.

2. When and where was the first VOM?

1974 in Canada

3. How does restorative justice address harm?

It uses non-punitive, restorative approaches focused on dialogue.

4. What are victims’ main needs in RJ?

Vindication of their rights.

5. Why must offenders and victims be prepared before dialogue?

Because effective restorative dialogue requires readiness and emotional preparation.

6. Why is RJ sometimes “too abstract” for offenders?

Because its concepts can be hard to grasp compared to traditional punishment.

7. Why is family group conferencing used often with juveniles?

It is designed around youth and community-based decision-making.

8. How is VOM different from conflict resolution processes?

VOM focuses specifically on crime-related harm, not general disputes

What was victim-offender mediations original name

“victim-offender reconciliation program”

10. What is the goal of VOM?

To empower participants, promote dialogue, and encourage mutual problem-solving

11. What does “telling their stories” mean?

Victims and offenders describe what happened, how it affected them, and how they view the crime.

 What is the Encounter conception?

 It emphasizes stakeholder meetings to discuss the crime, contributing factors, and aftermath; it requires victim/offender/community interaction.

13. What is the Reparative conception?

Crime causes harm, so justice must repair that harm; it must provide restitution or redress to victims and communities.

14. What is the Transformational conception?

It goes beyond individual harm to address structural injustices (racism, sexism, classism) and focuses on repairing all relationships.

19. What is genuine accountability?

Accepting responsibility, acknowledging pain caused, and understanding that accountability can be emotionally difficult.

How does U.S. law view crime?

As lawbreaking, with justice focused on blame and punishment.

How does restorative justice view crime?

As a violation of people and relationships that creates obligations to make things right.

 Who is Howard Zehr?

The grandfather of restorative justice.

What is the definition of restorative justice?

A way to prevent or respond to harm with healing, social support, and active accountability; rooted in Indigenous traditions.

Is restorative justice new?

No; it is centuries old and practiced by Native American and Indigenous cultures.

What are the four key points of the RJ model?

Who was harmed?

What are their needs?

Does the responsible party understand the harm?

How can they repair it?

 What are the four RJ practices?

Victim-Offender Mediation, Restorative Conference, Restorative Circles, Boards/Panels.

 Where did VOM begin?

Canada

What did the first VOM involve?

Two intoxicated youths who vandalized 22 properties; mediation was successful.

 Where did family group conferencing start?

New Zealand

Who started it and why?

The Māori, who emphasize community and view children as the future of their people.

 What system is family group conferencing based on?

The social welfare system.

Where did circles start?

Canada

Who developed circles?

First Nations people, based on Indigenous justice traditions.

What makes impact panels different?

Victims and offenders share experiences but are not each other’s victim/offender.

How is RJ used in the U.S.?

Courts and legislators consider

RJ; governments fund programs;

laws are being modified;

RJ is growing globally.

 What is a paradigm?

A worldview or way of thinking, like a pair of glasses.

 What did Einstein say about punitive justice?

Punitive justice is like insanity—doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results.

What is the flaw of thinking patterns?

They limit what we perceive to only what fits the pattern.

What are the two responses when evidence contradicts a pattern?

Disregard it or seek a new pattern.

What is the “King’s peace”?

Offenses became offenses against the king (state), and offenders owed the king.

. How do patterns of thinking obstruct justice?

By framing crime only as an offense against the state, focusing on punishment.

What are the three basic conceptions?

Encounter, Reparative, Transformation.

How does RJ view crime?

Violation of people and relationships; obligation to repair.

 What are the three principles?

1. Work to heal victims, offenders, and communities.
   

2. Allow participation as early and fully as possible.
   
   

Government maintains order; community promotes peace.

What is government’s “just public order”?

As imposed order increases, personal freedom decreases.

 What is community “just peace”?

Peace depends on community commitment.

What are the four normative values?

Active responsibility, peaceful social life, respect, solidarity.

What are the four corner post values?

Inclusion, Encounter, Amends, Reintegration.

Why is David & Goliath included?

It shows justice can be achieved using unconventional methods.

What are the three components of adopting an alternative approach?

Open invitation, desire, alternative approach.

How does RJ promote inclusion?

Through active involvement and mutually agreed-upon outcomes.

How does the CJS fail at inclusion?

It is adversarial; outcomes are imposed.

What promotes victim inclusion?

Information, court presence, impact statements, legal standing.

Which RJ practice handles juvenile cases?

Conferencing

What is the facilitator called in circles?

The circle keeper.

 63. What are the five elements of encounter?

Meeting, narrative, emotion, understanding, agreement.

 How do you minimize coercion?

Voluntary participation.

How does crime affect victims?

Practical and emotional loss, physical harm risk, stigma.

How does crime affect offenders?

Labels, discrimination, obstacles to reentry.

What are the four elements of amends?

Apology, changed behavior, restitution, generosity.

 What makes an apology?

Acknowledgment, affect (remorse), vulnerability.

 What are restitution & generosity components?

Compensation, active responsibility, going beyond justice requirements.

How do we make amends effectively?

Best achieved through agreements made during encounter; offenders need support to follow through.

 What are the elements of reintegration?

Safety, dignity, material help, moral/spiritual guidance, care.

What communities aid reintegration?

Families, support groups, faith-based communities.

What are the three layers of support?

Layer 1: Agency/nonprofit/committee
Layer 2: Surrounding organizations and individuals
Layer 3: The broader community

How do you develop a credible coalition?

Reflect concerns of all parties; local members design programs; proposals gain credibility.

What are the goals of RJ in prisons?

Build empathy, restore family ties, reconnect with the community, promote peaceful conflict resolution.

What are the two approaches?

Crime Control and Due Process.

What are the elements of transformation?

Creativity, openness to learning, seeing problems differently, considering alternatives.

What are the implications of kate 

• Find your natural allies 

• Avoid becoming identified with a particular political or ideological group 

• Listen to those who disagree 

• Put victims first 

• Focus on values and vision, but be flexible in practice