Dealing with offending behaviour (restorative justice programmes) Flashcards
what is restorative justice?
a system for dealing with criminal behaviour.
What does restorative justice focus on?
repairing the harm done by the crime to facilitate rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with the victim, and to encourage reparation for the victim, by the offender making amends for their crime.
In terms of rehabilitation, what is restorative justice and what does this do?
-the offender is encouraged to take responsibility for their crime through hearing from the victims.
-This encourages empathy in the offender through considering the crime from the perspective of the victim, and through this it can help the offender to take responsibility for their actions which may reduce the possibility of recidivism (reoffending).
What does restorative justice give to victims?
gives victims a voice (so they feel less powerless) and it allows them to express their distress through explaining the impact of the crime on their life, e.g. for a burglary victim this could be explaining that they now have a fear of people breaking into the house, and a loss of confidence.
How can reparation be achieved?
through monetary payment, (returning the goods that have been stolen, or physical work, e.g. fixing the window that they broke to get into the house).
What can restorative justice be?
Most importantly it can be psychological, as the offender can show feelings of guilt and remorse.
What are restorative justice conferences led by?
a mediator who supports and prepares the people taking part and makes sure that the process is safe.
What must happen for any kind of communication to take place?
the offender must have admitted to the crime, and both victim and offender must be willing to participate.
What will the mediator do when a face-to-face meeting is not the best way forward?
the mediator will arrange for the victim and offender to communicate via letters, recorded interviews or video.
What does government research demonstrate?
that restorative justice provides an 85% victim satisfaction rate; and a 14% reduction in the frequency of recidivism (reoffending).
