Explain Methods of Modifying Behaviour - Restorative Justice

Question 1

What is restorative justice?

Answer 1

Usually involves communication with the victim; payment as reparation, offenders writing letters to the victim, interaction between offender and victim

Question 2

Explain the aims of restorative justice…

Answer 2

Opportunity to explain the real impact of the crime, enaling the offender to understand the effects on the victim and learn to take the perspective of others, reducing the possibility of reoffending

Offender may offer concrete compensation for the crime, showing their feelings of guilt, understanding of the effects of their actions, while giving the victim an opportunity to express distress

Question 3

Explain the victim’s perspective…

Answer 3

Reduces the sense of victimisation as they’re no longer powerless and have a voice, while developing a greater understanding of the offender, reducing their sense of being harmed

Question 4

Explain a theory of restorative justice…

Answer 4

Watchel and McCold (2003) proposed a theoretical framework, stating that focus should be on relationships rather than punishment as crime harms peope and relationships, so justice requires harm to be healed as mcuh as possible

Early models focuesed on victims and offenders, but recent ideas recognise the effect on the wider community

Involvement of three ‘stakeholders’ is necessary: victim seeks reparation, offender takes responsibility, and the community seeks reconciliation, where if there is only one ‘stakeholder’ it is only partly restorative