Restorative justice

Question 1

What do historically offenders commit?

Answer 1

a crime against the state - restorative justice programmes switch their emphasis from the needs of the state to the needs of the individual victim.

Question 2

What is the restorative justice process?

Answer 2

managed collaboration between offender and victim based of the principles of healing and empowerment.

Question 3

Supervised meeting?

Answer 3

takes places attended by a trained mediator in which victims are able to express how they fell and how the incident has affected them.

Question 4

Key features of RJP?

Answer 4

1 - focus on acceptance of responsibility and positive change for people who harm others
2 - not restricted to courtrooms survivors and offenders may voluntarily choose to meet face to face
3- active rather than passive involvement of all parties
4- focus on positive outcomes for survivors

Question 5

Variations of the process?

Answer 5

• not always a face to face encounter but can be financial restitution that represents the psychological damage done such as physical damage - it is flexible.

Question 6

Restorative Justice Council?

Answer 6

• independent body whose role it is to establish clear standards and to support victims and specialist professionals in the field.

Question 7

Diversity of programme?

Answer 7

• variety of ways and where programme can be done, this means schemes can be adapted and tailored to suit needs of individuals - however this presents difficulties with drawing conclusions.

Question 8

Relies on offenders showing remorse?

Answer 8

• prisoners may sign up to the schemes for a number of reasons including the reduction of prison sentences rather than a genuine desire to make amends - positive outcomes may not be met.

Question 9

Expensive?

Answer 9

Shapland et al concluded that for every £1 spent on RJ, it would save the criminal justice system £8 through reduced offending. However, meetings need to be facilitated by professionals who are expensive.

Question 10

Feminist critique?

Answer 10

• woman’s aid have called for a legislative ban on use of restorative justice in domestic violence cases.

Question 11

Soft option?

Answer 11

• alternatives to prison don’t receive popular support - often regarded as a soft option.