Restorative justice

Question 1

What is restorative justice?

Answer 1

A system of dealing with criminal behaviour which focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation within victims

Offenders see the impact of their crime and the process empowers victims by giving them a ‘voice’

Question 2

Is restorative justice voluntary or involuntary?

Answer 2

Restorative justice must be voluntary for all parties. It is respectful and not degrading for either offender or victim

Question 3

Restorative justice is regulated by what?

Answer 3

The Restorative Justice Council (RJC)

Question 4

What is the focus/ aim of restorative justice?

Answer 4

The focus is on positive outcomes for survivors and offenders, and on acceptance of responsibility and positive change for offenders

Question 5

What is the aim for offenders in restorative justice?

Answer 5

To aid rehabilitation and reduce the likelihood of reoffending

Question 6

What is the aim for victims in restorative justice?

Answer 6

To aid the process of healing, allowing them to overcome the trauma inflicted by the offender

Question 7

What is the aim for the community in restorative justice?

Answer 7

To create a safer community with less crime, and heal the damage caused by the offender

Question 8

What are 2 strengths of restorative justice?

Answer 8

1. The UK RJC report high satisfaction - they report 85% satisfaction from victims in face-to-face meetings with their offenders
   Avon and Somerset police reported 92.5% victim satisfaction with restorative justice for victims of crime
2. Recidivism - Restorative justice does seem to lead to a decrease in rates of reoffending
   A meta-analysis of ten studies by Heather Strang et al. comapred offenders who experienced face-to-face restorative justice schemes with those who just expereicned custodial sentencing
   The restorative justice group was significantly less likely to reoffend

Question 9

What is 1 limitation of restorative justice?

Answer 9

Offenders may abuse the system - The success of restorative justice programmes may hinge on an offender’s intentions being honourable - they must be taking part because of regret and wants to make amends
Psychologists suggest that offenders may use restorative justice for all kinds of reasons: avoiding punishment, playing down their faults etc
This would explain why not all offenders ultimately benefit from restorative justice and go on to reoffend