Modifying behaviour- restorative justice

Question 1

What is restorative justice?

Answer 1

Developed as an alternative to traditional methods of punishment
Can be used as a substitute for traditional punishment e.g. custodial sentencing or as part or alongside

Question 2

Key components of restorative justice?

Answer 2

-Communicate with there victims
-Focus on rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims, is more active
-Empowers victims gibing them a voice
-Allows offenders to accept responsibility
-Not restricted to courtrooms
-Focuses on positive outcomes for survivors

Question 3

2 aims of restorative justice?

Answer 3

-Rehabilitation of offenders
-Atonement for wrongdoing (retribution)

Question 4

Aims- rehabilitation of offenders?

Answer 4

-Re encouragement the criminal to accept responsibility for there actions
-Their aim is when offenders fully understand how their actions have a chance to develop empathy and ability to take perspective of victims
-This means reduction in reoffenders

Question 5

Aims- Atonement of wrongdoing?

Answer 5

Psychological atonement
Physical atonement

Question 6

Atonement of wrongdoing- Psychological atonement?

Answer 6

Offenders showing guilt and remorse

Question 7

Atonement of wrongdoing-
Physical atonement?

Answer 7

Compensation (money, community, work etc)

Question 8

Wachtel and Mccold- who is involved?

Answer 8

Starting point should be on relationship rather than punishment.
Crime harms people and therefore justice required there harm to be healed as much as possible
-Early models focused on just offenders and victims only, recent ideas to suggest theirs are 3 stake holders

Question 9

Is restorative justice flexible?

Answer 9

Yes
Can be letters, phone calls, financial restitution for psychological or physical harm (break ins), offenders repairing damaged and can work as an alternative to custodial sentencing, an add on to community service or incentive to have a reduced custodial sentenced

Question 10

Evaluation- victim perspective evidence?

Answer 10

Sherman and Strang
Restorative Justice Council

Question 11

Evaluation- victim perspective Sherman and Strang?

Answer 11

Previously randomised control trials of restorative justice the US, UK and Australia and found that compared to conventional method of justice, victims of crime were less likely to develop PTSD and less likely to seek revenge
Higher rate of victim satisfaction

Question 12

Evaluation- victim perspective Justice Council?

Answer 12

85% satisfaction from, victis in face to face meetings with offenders

Question 13

Evaluation- victim perspective counter argument evidence?

Answer 13

Significant proportion are sceptical about offenders motives are they only agreeing to get a reduced sentence
-Victims who have direct contact with the offender to be an unsettling experience

Question 14

Evaluation- Recidivism evidence?

Answer 14

Sherman and Strang

Question 15

Evaluation- Recidivism sherman and strang?

Answer 15

Adult offenders, restorative justice was more effective than a prison sentence for reducing recidivism
For young offenders, it was equally as effective as a prison sentence

Question 16

Evaluation- Recidivism counter argument evidence?

Answer 16

Restorative justice council

Question 17

Evaluation- Recidivism Restorative justice council?

Answer 17

Recidivism rates is still 37%

Question 18

Evaluation- Not applicable to all offenders?

Answer 18

Weakness
Sexual offences, hate crime and domestic violence

Question 19

Evaluation- ethics psychological harm to offender?

Answer 19

Prisoners more likely to suffer mental illness, forcing the to confront harm they have caused may trigger depression, self harm and suicide

Question 20

Evaluation- ethics psychological harm to victim?

Answer 20

If crimes traumatic being face to face with the offender may tiggers flashbacks or symptoms of PTSD for the victim

Question 21

Evaluation- ethics professionals?

Answer 21

RJ delivered by training restorative justice practitioners they are not necessarily experts in mental health
Limited follow up for both victims or offenders so if its caused by the restorative justice process, harm may go unrecorded so long term neg effects

Question 22

Evaluation- ethics psychological harm to offender?

Answer 22

Process needs to be voluntary, offenders in particular may feel forced into taking part if they are offered a reduced sentenced

Question 23

Evaluation- ethics psychological harm to victims?

Answer 23

If victim knows that the person who committed a crime against them to initiated restorative justice the victim may feel pressured into taking part even through they would rather not

Question 24

Social implications to wider society?

Answer 24

-Crime harms not only the victim, but the victim family and social service
-Offenders family may be harmed
-Restorative justice can help heal these harms
-Community’s large , not the offender and the victim

Question 25

Evaluation- what are peace circles’?

Answer 25

Healing the harm to relationship that results from wrong and conflict and holding respectful conversations that separate the person from the problem

Question 26

Evaluation- financial implication sharpland et al?

Answer 26

Every £1 spent on restorative justice would save the criminal justice system £8 through reduced levels of recidivism
RJ can be paid for using fines paid by criminals

Question 27

Evaluation- financial implication?

Answer 27

-Skilled and experience individual to act as a mediator is required, practical issue
-High drop out rates is RJ cost effective