L13 - Restorative Justice

Question 1

Define restorative justice

Answer 1

The process of managed collaboration between the offender and the victim based on principles of healing and empowerment; victims take an active role in the offenders’ punishment and the offender takes responsibility for what they’ve done

Question 2

What happens?

Answer 2

A trained mediator facilitates a meeting between the victim, who explains how the crime has affected them, and offender, who has to face the consequences

Question 3

Name features of restorative justice programmes

Answer 3

Focus on acceptance of responsibility and positive change
Not restricted to courtrooms
All parties actively involved
Positive outcomes for all is focused on

Question 4

Restorative justice is an alternative, addition, and incentive to what?

Answer 4

Alternative to custodial sentencing
Addition to community service
Incentive to reduce custodial sentencing

Question 5

One positive evaluation point?

Answer 5

Restorative justice can be flexible in the way it’s administered and covers a range of applications, like schools and hospitals
Therefore can be tailored to situation’s needs

Question 6

First negative evaluation point?

Answer 6

Women’s aid has said it’s not appropriate for victims of domestic abuse
Offenders can use the meeting to convince the victim to take them back, and use the power they have over them

Question 7

Second negative evaluation point?

Answer 7

The offender needs to show remorse
Some just do it to shorten their custodial sentencing and don’t want to genuinely change - not much commitment so high dropout rates