Crime - Methods of Modifying - Restorative Justice

Question 1

What are the key components of restorative justice?

Answer 1

Empowerment for the victim
Acceptance of responsibility of the offender
Focus on reconciliation and rehabilitation
Positive outcomes for both the victims and offenders

Question 2

Describe the two aims of custodial sentencing that restorative justice fulfils?

Answer 2

Rehabilitation of offenders - encourages offenders responsibility and the understanding of the impact of their crimes creating guilt and empathy which prevents reoffending
Atonement for wrongdoings (retribution) - psychological atonement (feelings of guilt and remorse) or physical atonement (compensation such as community work).

Question 3

What are some variations of restorative justice that make it flexible?

Answer 3

Letters
Phone calls
Repairing property
Financial compensation

Question 4

Describe how victim effectiveness supports the effectiveness of restorative justice.

Answer 4

The UK Restorative Justice Council describes that 85% satisfaction rate within victims who had face-to-face interactions with their offenders, however does not account for the more flexible methods and their effectiveness.

Question 5

Describe how reduces recidivism supports the effectiveness of restorative justice.

Answer 5

Research found that restorative justice is more effective than custodial prison sentencing in young offenders, however there is still a 37% of recidivism as of 2015, so not fully effective.

Question 6

Describe how suitability for all crimes criticises the effectiveness of restorative justice.

Answer 6

Restorative justice is not suitable for all crimes such as sexual offences, murder and domestic abuse, therefore cannot establish its effectiveness in the most aggressive crimes.

Question 7

Describe how risks of psychological harm criticises the ethics of restorative justice.

Answer 7

Forcing victims to re-live or confront their previous traumatic crimes against them may cause further harm such as PTSD or depression or create flashbacks.

Question 8

Describe how risks lack of free will criticises the ethics of restorative justice.

Answer 8

If a victim is aware an offender wants to pursue restorative justice, they may feel pressured to take part even if they don’t want, therefore the victim doesn’t have true freewill.

Question 9

Describe a social implication of restorative justice.

Answer 9

Long term financial benefits in that every £1 spent on restorative justice, saves the criminal justice system £8 from less reoffending.