Restorative justice - dealing with offending behaviour

Question 1

what are the conditions

Answer 1

must be voluntary for everyone and only used if positive outcomes are being sought, not to degrade people

Question 2

what does it restore

Answer 2

the situation of before the crime was committed

Question 3

how does it begin

Answer 3

communication via a letter with a trained mediator to manage contact. the offender can write an impact statement of why they committed the crime and to apologise

Question 4

if the victim wants more…

Answer 4

they meet face to face after informed consent from both parties. the p’s determine the pace of the process and it may include meetings with other key figures. the offender has the change to explain their actions, accept responsibility and offer a form of compensation. the victim can potentially forgive and ask questions

Question 5

the three aims are to..

Answer 5

rehabilitate - offender learns to stand up to responsibility and learn their impact on others.
to pay retribution - they can offer physical compensation e.g. money/unpaid community work/fix the damage and psychological compensation e.g. showing guilt
gives the victim voice and power - can reduce anxiety, reduce the feelings of being victimised if they were just in the wrong place at the wrong time

Question 6

E-practical- cost effective…

cost ineffective…

Answer 6

Restorative Justice Council claims the reduced recidivism means £8 is saved for every £1 spent on the process. cost of running the programme is covered by the fines paid by the offenders.
Need trained pros to run the programme

Question 7

E-practical- relies on…

Answer 7

the victim wanting to understand the reasons why the crime was committed and wanting to forgive the offender to move on and offender remorse

Question 8

E-practical- high drop out rates

Answer 8

offenders may lose their nerves and withdraw

Question 9

E-ethical- victims may feel worse after

Answer 9

if the offender shows no empathy towards the victim they may suffer psychological harm

Question 10

E-ethical- only suitable for some types of crime

Answer 10

Women’s aid has called for a ban of this treatment in domestic abuse cases. victims may have ulterior motives e.g. revenge. they may abuse their power and gang up on the offender, especially young offenders. leads to offender shaming which defeats the aim

Question 11

E-ethical- avoids the use of custodial sentencing

Answer 11

can avoid offenders being influenced by other’s attitudes+techniques towards crime so reduce reoffending

Question 12

E-effective

Answer 12

For the victims, the UK restorative justice council in 2015, reported 85% satisfaction from face-face meetings. came from a large range of crimes from theft to violent crime

Question 13

E-effective- Avon and Somerset police force

Answer 13

reported 92.5% victim satisfaction when the victim had been subject of a violent crime

Question 14

E-effective- reoffending rates

Answer 14

UK restorative justice council report in 2015 found 14% reduction in recidivism.

Question 15

E-effective- more aims met

Answer 15

including rehabilitation, retribution and punishment