3.1.4 Method 1: Restorative Justice

Question 1

what is restorative justice? (RJ)

Answer 1

Based upon the belief that offender should try to restore the situation to what it was before the crime was committed

Question 2

what is recidivism

Answer 2

the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend

Question 3

how does RJ work

Answer 3

• Aim of method is to reduce recidivism
• Prison alone does not rescue recidivism- led to more research being done
• Includes offenders restoring the situation through letter, video or face-to face meetings to communicate with their victim

Question 4

aims of RJ

Answer 4

1. Rehabilitation
2. Atonement

Question 5

rehabilitation

Answer 5

Process of helping people who have committed a crime to re-enter society as law-abiding citizens

Question 6

atonement

Answer 6

The action of making amends for a wrong or injury

Question 7

how can RJ lead to rehibilitation

Answer 7

• Communication with victim and understanding the real impact they had on others
• Taking responsibility for their crime
  > hopes this will also change their attitudes towards crime

Question 8

how can RJ give the opportunity for atonement

Answer 8

• Offenders might have the opportunity to offer compensation
• Atonement from offender is often psychological
• Listening to the victims distress may also lead to the offender developing empathy for the victim
  > less likely to reoffend

Question 9

Watchel & McCold (2003)

Answer 9

• Proposed restorative justice theory focused on building relationships, not punishing offenders
• Justice requires repairing harm caused by crime through restorative practices connecting victims and offenders

-Confronts wrongdoing while affirming the offender’s intrinsic worth

• Emphasizes collaborative problem-solving: sharing feelings, discussing impact, and creating a repair plan
• Re-integrative approach, allowing the offender to make amends and shed the offender label

Question 10

what does the theory highlight in terms of who is involved (W&MC)

Answer 10

the role of the community, including the families and friends of both the victim and offender

Question 11

what process do stakehholders participate in

Answer 11

“conferences” and “circles.”

Question 12

what are the needs of the different stakeholders

Answer 12

Victim: Needs reparation (some form of compensation, making amends)

Offender: Needs to take responsibility

Community of care: Need to help achieve reconciliation

Question 13

what are the different levels of restoration

Answer 13

one stakeholder = partly restorative (e.g. if the government pays compensation)

two stakeholders = mostly restorative

three stakeholders = full restoration