restorative justice

• involves offenders coming face to face with their victims.
• Needs careful management and sensitivity, but can play a crucial role in the offenders' rehabilitation. It may help the victim to 'move on' from what has happened to them.
• The idea is that the offenders are somehow paying back their victims.
• Switch from crime against the state, to crime against the person.

  Victims are encouraged to take an active role in the process and offenders are encouraged to face up to what they've done.
• John Braithwaite: crime hurts, justice should heal.

  Restorative justice is planned and managed collaboration between the Offender and the victim based on the principles of healing and empowerment.
• Key features:

  Focus on acceptance of responsibility - emphasise positive change for others.

  Less emphasis on punishment.

  Survivors (not victims) and offenders meet somewhere other than a courtroom. Other community members may play a role.

  Active involvement for all involved.

  Focus on positive outcomes for survivors and offenders. 

  Sometimes, the offender and survivor do not meet face to face- they may compensate them financially. E.g for a break in- pay for the damage. Or it may involve them repairing it themselves. 
• Restorative justice is flexible and can be a good alternative to prison, esp where the offender is young or when there is an incentive to reduce an existing sentence.
• Restorative justice council (rjc)

  They are an independent body who establish the clear standards and practice for restorative justice. They support its use in schools, children services, workplaces, hospitals and communities as well as prisons.