forensic psychology

• Restorative justice (RJ)


  A process of managed collaboration between offender and victim based on the principles of healing and empowerment
• Restorative justice programmes


  • Focus on acceptance of responsibility and positive change, less emphasis on punishment
  • Non-courtroom setting where offenders voluntarily choose to meet face-to-face with victim (survivor)
  • Active rather than passive involvement of all parties
  • Focus on positive outcomes for both survivors and offenders
• Not all RJ programmes involve face-to-face contact between offender and victim
• Restorative justice programmes


  • Offender may make financial restitution to the victim
  • Offender may fix any physical damage themselves (e.g. in the case of a burglary)
  • May be an 'add-on' to community service or as an incentive which may lead to the reduction of an existing sentence
• Restorative Justice Council (RJC)


  An independent body that establishes clear standards for the use of restorative justice and supports victims and specialist professionals
• The RJC advocates the use of restorative justice in schools, hospitals, prisons, etc.
• Historically, a person convicted


  Would have been regarded as committing a crime against the state
• In contrast, restorative justice programmes


  Switch the emphasis from the need of the state to enforce the law to the needs of the victim to come to terms with the crime and move on
• Victims in restorative justice


  Are encouraged to take an active role in the processes
• Offenders in restorative justice


  Are required to take responsibility and face up to what they have done
• A supervised meeting between the two parties is arranged and managed by a trained mediator
• Braithwaite (2004): 'Crime hurts, justice should heal'
• Anger management with offenders

  • Cognitive Preparation: Reflect on the past
  • Skill Acquisition: Techniques to deal with anger
  • Application Practice: Role play
• Anger management programmes


  1. Teach individuals to recognise anger

  2. Develop skills to deal with it
• Anger management programmes


  • Form of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT)
  • Teach the individual to recognise the cognitive factors that trigger their anger and loss of control
  • Develop behavioural techniques that bring about conflict-resolution without the need for violence
• Stage 1: Cognitive preparation


  Reflect on the past
• Stage 2: Skill acquisition


  Techniques to deal with anger
• Stage 3: Application practice


  Role play
• Techniques in skill acquisition stage

  • Cognitive: positive self-talk to promote calmness
  • Behavioural: assertiveness training to communicate more effectively
  • Physiological: relaxation and/or meditation
• Keen et al. (2000) studied the progress of young offenders between 17 and 21 who took part in an anger management programme-eight two-hour sessions
• By the end offenders generally reported increased awareness of their anger and capacity for self-control