Restorative justice

• Restorative justice

  rebuilding relationships between the offender, victim, their family, and the community at large
• Aims of restorative justice

  • victim satisfaction - reduce fear and feel ’paid back’
  • Engagement with the perpetrator - ensure they are aware if the consequences and have an opportunity to make reparation
  • Creation of community capital - increase public confidence in the criminal justice system
• key features of the restorative justice programme

  • trained mediator supervises the meeting
  • in a non-courtroom setting
  • survivor is given the opportunity to confront the offender and explain how the incidence affected them
  • active rather than passive involvement
  • focuses on positive outcomes for the survivor and perpetrator
• when does restorative justice occur?

  • pre-trial
  • alongside a prison sentence
  • as an alternative to prison
• restitution

  compensating for harm or damage that the crime caused
• ways offenders can pay restitution

  • financially - giving money to the victim
  • labour - repairing damaged property
  • emotionally - supporting the victim’s confidence or self esteem
• UK restorative justice council (2015)

  • 85% satisfaction from victims in face-to-face meetings with the offender
  • rises to 92.5% in victims of violent crime

  only method that truly supports the victim as will as rehabilitating offenders
• Sherman & Strang (2007)

  reviewed 20 studies of face to face restorative justice in the UK, USA and Australia

  • all studies showed reduced reoffending and none showed higher reoffending
• negative evaluations of restorative justice

  • ethical concerns for survivors - victims may feel worse afterwards and may lead to an abuse of power from the offender
  • does it offer effective retribution? - some offenders may only sign up to get a lesser sentence rather than genuinely wanting to make amends
  • expensive - requires a trained professional
• Positive evaluation of restorative justice

  • Reduced reoffending means that £8 is saved for every £1 spent on the restorative process
  • Negative psychological effects of custodial sentencing can be avoided