What is Restorative Justice?
What Are its principles?
Jackie Phillips
Department Name, Post University
CRJ331 – Community Corrections
Unit 6 Assignment: Restorative Principles
Professor Terri Johnson
Due Date: 11:59 pm EST Sunday of Unit 6
In your own words, what is “Restorative Justice” and what are its principles?
Restorative justice is a community-based, victim-centered approach in a justice environment that focuses on repairing harm caused by criminals and then makes the offender accountable for their crimes and towards the victims. The offender accepts responsibility for their actions and is held accountable to repair the harm done.
“A great way to understand the Restorative Justice Community Group Conference process is to look at it through the lens of the 5 R’s: Relationship, Respect, Responsibility, Repair, and Reintegration
Relationship:
At the heart of every restorative justice process is a damaged relationship. The person who caused harm has negatively impacted the lives of real people and real communities.
Respect:
Respect keeps the process safe. All involved parties are trusted to show respect for themselves and for others at all stages of the process.
Responsibility:
We ask that everyone is honest with themselves and searches deeply in their hearts to discover how they might have had a hand in the matter.
Repair:
The repair principle replaces thoughts of revenge and punishment, instead focusing on moving forward in a more positive direction.
Reintegration:
By accepting responsibility and agreeing to repair the harm, the person who caused harm creates space and trust to be reintegrated into the community.” (Capstick, L., 2018)
How do you feel that these principles differ from traditional criminal justice practices?
Restorative Justice has a different viewpoint than Traditional Criminal Justice. Restorative Justice sees that harm has been done to people, families and a community, compared to Traditional Justice who sees only that laws are broken. Restorative Justice seeks to rebuild communities affected by crime and rebuilding relationships, compared to Traditional Criminal Justice that wants to assign consequences to the offender.
“The differences between TCJ and RJ principles, models and programs are significant. The major difference is that TCJ is primarily concerned with retribution against the offender, whereas RJ focuses on the needs of the victim, offender and the community and their interrelationships; the obligations of the offender and the community vis a vis the victim; and on engaging all of the parties involved. In the last 40 years, RJ programs have been growing in popularity worldwide, and research shows that in most cases RJ programs are more effective than TCJ.” (Horodeckyj, S., 2020)
I think that Restorative Justice is a great idea if the offender is willing and mature enough to understand what is expected of them and that they agree to follow the guidelines. They should also be made aware of what will happen if they choose not to follow the guidelines. I think that the offender should be allowed to follow the RJ program if their Community Service officer believes it is a good fit for the offender. The more options a person has to improve, the better a society we will become.
“Restorative Community Conferencing”
Through Make it Right, eligible young people are given the option, before their cases are charged, to participate in “restorative community conferencing.” In this process, the youth come together with their victim and their supporters (including family/caregivers, youth services, schools, coaches, and others) in a community-based facilitated dialogue to develop an agreement for the young person to repair harm, address root causes, and make amends. This collective agreement identifies concrete actions the youth will take to address harm caused to the victim, the community, the youth’s family, and him/herself. With support from a community-based case manager, the young person has a six-month period to complete their agreement. If successful, the case is not prosecuted.” (No author given, 2024)
References
Capstick, L., 2018, The Conflict Center, The Five R’s of Restorative Justice, https://conflictcenter.org/the-5-rs-of-restorative-justice/
Horodeckyj, S., 2020, IJ4J For All, Traditional Criminal Justice vs Restorative Justice, Internet Journal of Restorative Justice, https://www.rj4allpublications.com/product/traditional-criminal-justice-vs-restorative-justice/
No author given, 2024, San Francisco District Attorney, A New Approach to Juvenile Delinquency in San Francisco, https://sfdistrictattorney.org/policy/restorative-justice/make-it-right/
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