Restorative Justice

Question 1

Restorative definition:

Answer 1

Having ability to restore health, strength or well being

Question 2

Justice definiton:

Answer 2

The principle that people receive that which they deserve

Question 3

What’s the restorative justice process ?

Answer 3

It’s a process of manages collaboration between offender and victim based on the principles of healing and empowerment.
-a supervised meeting is organised between the victim and perpetrators with a trained mediator. The victim has the opportunity to confront the offender and explain how the incident affected them.
The offender is able to see the consequences of their actions, including the emotional distress caused. This is seen as part of the rehabilitation process.
-doesn’t have to be face to face

Question 4

What does restorative justice mean?

Answer 4

A system for dealing with criminal behaviour which focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims. This enables the offender to see the impact of their crime and serves to empower victims by giving them a voice.
-the emphasis is changed from the needs of the state (to enforce the law and punish) to the needs of the individual victim( to come to terms with the crime and move on)

Question 5

Financial resolution- Restorative justice

Answer 5

• a financial resolution can be made
  -money paid to ‘victim’ reflect psychological and or physical damage that’s been caused.
  -offender vs repair any physical damage
  -alt to prison: an add on to community service, in centre to reduce prison time.

Question 6

Benefits to the victim

Answer 6

-enable them to put the crime behind them, for example why they were targeted. Acts as closure.
-gives victim greater voice in the criminal justice system.
-empowerment in terms of a sense of personal power
-develop an understanding of why the crime was committed.

Question 7

Benefits to offender

Answer 7

-opportunity to address and heal the underlying issues and opportunity to change.
-opportunity to apoligiues and accept responsibility
-opportunity to repair the harm done because of the crime
-develop an understanding of the effect of their action s

Question 8

Benefits to community

Answer 8

-shows the community that offenders are making up for their actions so gives sense of retribution
-restorative justice reduces the frequency of reoffending, so community is safer.
-saves money- £8 in savings to criminal justice system for every £1 spent on restorative justice.
-opportunity to rebuild a sense of community and mutual accountability.

Question 9

The restorative justice council

Answer 9

• the RJC is an independent body whose roe is it to establish clear standards for the use of restorative justice and to support victims and specialist professionals in the field.
  -the RJC advocated the use of restorative practice in preventing and managing conflict in many areas including schools, children’s services, workplaces, hospitals and communities.

Question 10

Key features of restorative justice

Answer 10

1. Focus on acceptance of responsibility and positive change, for ppl who harm others less emphasis on punishment
2. Not restricted to courtrooms survivors and those responsible for harm may choose to meet face-to-face in non-courtroom setting. Other community members may also have a role in this process.
3. Active not passive involvement of all parties
4. Focusing on positive outcomes for survivors and those who have engaged in wrong doing