Restorative justice

What is restorative justice?

Offenders coming face to face w/ their victims

What is

Offenders coming face to face w/ their victims

Restorative justice

Restorative justice switches

emphasis from needs of state to punish to needs of victim to gain closure

Process of restorative justice

-Supervised meeting b/t 2 parties is organised + attended by a trained mediator

→Victim give opportunity to confront offender + explain how incident affected them

-Offender able to see consequences of actions incl. emotional distress caused

→ seen as vital step in rehabilitation process

What is

-Supervised meeting b/t 2 parties is organised + attended by a trained mediator

→Victim give opportunity to confront offender + explain how incident affected them

-Offender able to see consequences of actions incl. emotional distress caused

→ seen as vital step in rehabilitation process

Process of restorative justice

What is seen as a vital step in rehabilitation process?

Offender getting to see consequences of their actions from meeting w/ victim

Purpose of meeting b/t victim + offender (for offender)

To recognise consequences of their actions + emotional distress caused

Who attends the supervised meeting b/t the 2 parties in process of restorative justice?

Trained mediator

Key features of restorative justice (4)

-Focus on accepting of responsibility + positive change for those who harm others, less emphasis on punishment

-Not restricted to courtrooms coz can choose to meet in a diff setting

-Active involvement from both parties

-Focus on positive outcome for both parties

What is

-Focus on accepting of responsibility + positive change for those who harm others, less emphasis on punishment

-Not restricted to courtrooms coz can choose to meet in a diff setting

-Active involvement from both parties

-Focus on positive outcome for both parties

Key focus of restorative justice

Restorative justice focuses on

accepting of responsibility

Active rather than passive involvement from both parties

Variation of restorative justice process

Offender may make a financial reimbursement reflecting psychological or physical damage

What is

Offender may make a financial reimbursement reflecting psychological or physical damage

Variations of restorative justice

3 functions of restorative justice

Alternative to prison

Add on to community service

Incentive to sentence reduction

What is

Alternative to prison

Add on to community service

Incentive to sentence reduction

3 functions of restorative justice

What is RJC?

Independent body that establishes clear standards for use of restorative justice

Supports victims + specialists in the field

What is

Independent body that establishes clear standards for use of restorative justice

Supports victims + specialists in the field

RJC

Restorative justice may reduce recidivism but

doesnt recive much public support

Strength of restorative justice

Diversity of RJ programmes

Strength of restorative justice - Diversity of restorative justice programmes

P: Diversity of restorative justice programmes

E: Covers wide range of possible applications and can be adapted to individual needs. Is flexible

C: Although, this doesn’t prevent difficulties in drawing conclusions of effectiveness

3 limitations of restorative justice

-Relies on offender showing remorse

-Not cost effective

-Feminist critique

Limitation of restorative justice - Relies on offender showing remorse

P: Relies on offender showing remorse

E: Relies on extent prisoner feels remorse. Some only sign up for reduced sentence/avoiding prison. Some victims have ulterior motive of vengeance

C: Good intentions needed for positive outcome of RJ

Limitation of restorative justice - Not cost effective

P: Not cost effective

E: Shapland (2007) concluded after a 7 year project that every £1 spent on RJ saves criminal justice system £8 on reoffending rates but requires input of skilled mediators that cost money

C: Not most cost effective solution

Limitaion of restorative justice - Feminist critique

P: Feminist critique

E: Women’s Aid charity doesnt want RJ for domestic violence due to power imbalance

C: Questions suitability of RJ for certain offences