Restorative Justice

• Restorative Justice (RJ) aims to redress this balance, crime is seen as being against a person or organisation and victims can be part of what happens. 

• RJ must be voluntary for all parties and seeks a postive outcome. 

• It is respectful and not degrading for either the offender or the victim.

• RJ aims to provide vicitms with:

• An opportunity to explain the impact of the crime (impact statements).

• An acknowldgement of the harm caused.

• A chance to ask questions.

• Some control and choice.

• Peace of mind about the future.

•  A supervised meeting between the 2 parties (offender and victim) is organised.

• A trained mediator attends the meeting.

• The victim is given the oppourtinity to confront the offender and explain how the incident affected them.

• Similarly, the offender can see the consequences of their actions, including the emotional distress caused.

• This is an important part in the rehabilitation process.

• In some cases, not all RJ programmes can involve face-to-face encounters between the offender and the victim.

• Occasionally, the offender may make some financial restitution to the victim which may reflect the psychological or physical damage done. 

• A government funded research project conducted by SHAPLAND et al. (2007) concluded that every £1 spent on RJ would save the criminal justice system £8 through reduced reoffending (recidivism). 

• However, it can still be expensive in terms of the number of sessions required, and the input of a skilled and experienced mediator would be required.

• There is danger of offenders signing up to the programme just to gain a reduced sentence.

• It is difficult to tell whether offenders show remorse.

• Additionally, the offenders may have an ulterior motive in that they may want to seek revenge themselves whe faced with the victim.

• However, it has been praised because it does reduce re-offending rates. Unlike custodial sentencing, there is a degree of flexibility in the way in which programmes can be administered, and it can be used in a variety of locations (including schools).

BENEFITS TO THE VICTIM:

• Enable them to put the crime behind them, for example, why they were targeted. It acts as closure.
• Gived victims a greater voice in the Criminal Justice System.
• Empowerment in terms of a sense of personal power.
• Develop and understanding of why the crime was committed. 

BENEFITS TO THE OFFENDER:

• Opportinity to address and heal the underlying issues and the oppourtunity to change.
• Opportunity to apologise and accept responsibility.
• Opportunity to repair the harm done as a result of the crime.
• Develop an understanding of the effects of their actions.

BENEFITS TO THE WIDER COMMUNITY:

• Shows the community that offenders are making up for their actions, so gives a sense of retribution.
• RJ reduces the frequency of reoffending, so community is safer.
• Saves money - £8 in savings to the criminal justice system for every £1 spent on RJ.
• Opportunity to (re)build a sense of community and mutual accountability.