Dealing With Offending Behaviour: Restorative Justice Programmes

Question 1

What is a restorative justice program

Answer 1

• seeks to achieve justice by repairing the harm done by an offender rather then punishing them

Question 2

What are the aims of restorative justice

Answer 2

• rehabilitation of offenders
• atonement for wrongdoing
• victims perspective: May develop an understanding of offender, possibly reducing victims sense of being harmed

Question 3

What is rehabilitation for offenders

Answer 3

• victim has opportunity to explain impact of the crime, enabling the offender to understand the consequences on the victim
• offender encouraged to take responsibility, which should have an affect on future behaviour

Question 4

What is atonement of wrongdoing

Answer 4

• offenders may offer concrete compensation for the crime, atonement is showing the offenders feelings of guilt

Question 5

What is the victims perspective

Answer 5

• can reduce their send of victimisation because they are no longer powerless and Have a voice, victim May also develop a greater understanding of offender

Question 6

What was the Wachtel and McCold study in 2003

Answer 6

• proposed a theoretical framework. Starting point is that focus should be on the relationship rather then punishment, as justice requires that harm to be healed as much as possible.
• involvement of 3 stakeholders are necessary: victim seeks reparation, offender must take responsibility, and community seeks reconciliation for a healthy society.
• full restoration involves all 3 stakeholders

Question 7

What are peace circles

Answer 7

• set up in communities where crime levels are high, aiming to foster an environment of respect, welcoming both offenders and victims
• everyone sits in chairs placed in a circle so that a person can speak uninterrupted, with a ‘keeper’ who maintains an atmosphere of respect (eg: Jesse in breaking bad scene)

Question 8

How have restorative justice schemes benefitted the victims

Answer 8

• UK restorative justice council (2015) reported 85% satisfaction from face to face encounters victims and offenders.
• one police force, Avon and Somerset reported a 92.5% satisfaction

Question 9

How have restorative justice schemes been successful in reducing reoffending

Answer 9

• as German and Strang (2007) reviewed 20 studies of face-face meetings between offender and victim in the US, UK and Australia, all studies showed reduced reoffending. The UK restorative justice council (2015) reported a 14% reduction in reoffending

Question 10

What are the advantages of restorative justice, in comparison to custodial sentencing

Answer 10

• by avoiding custodial sentencing, the influences of a deviant subculture can be avoided
• reduced reoffending means £8 is saved for every quid spent on the restorative process according to the Uk restorative justice council

Question 11

What are the ethical issues with the restorative justice programme

Answer 11

• victim could potentially feel worse after, or victims could shame the offender which isn’t the intention of the process, so the process must be carefully balences to ensure the benefits for both the victim and the offender