Restorative justice

• Restorative justice


  • A way of dealing with offending behaviour which focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims
  • This enables an offender to see the impact of their crime and serves to empower the victim by giving them a voice
• Individual vs state


  • A person convicted of a crime would be regarded as committing a crime against the state
  • Restorative justice programmes switch emphasis from the needs of the state to those of the victim (compensation)
• A healing process

  • Restorative justice is less about retribution (punishing offender) and more about reparation (repairing harm caused)
  • Restorative justice focuses on:
  • The victim and their recovery
  • The offender and their recovery/rehabilitation process
• Key features

  • Trained mediator supervising
  • Non-courtroom setting
  • Face-to-face or remote
  • Both given an opportunity to explain/question the other
  • Active process
  • Positive outcome for all
  • Careful assessment of offender and victim
• Sentencing

  • Restorative justice may occur pre-trial, and the offender's involvement may be considered during sentencing
  • It can also function alongside a sentence or as an alternative or incentive to reduce the sentence
• Restitution


  • A monetary payment by an offender to the victim for the harm caused
  • May reflect psychological or physical damage caused - some variations may involve the offender directly repairing the damages themselves
  • Emotional restitution - supports healing process by rebuilding the victim's confidence and self-esteem
• The RJC


  • An independent body who establish clear standards and supports victims and specialist professionals
  • Advocates for the use of restorative justice beyond crime - schools, workplace, hospitals and families