Dealing with Offending Behaviour - Restorative Justice Flashcards
What is restorative justice?
A system of dealing with operating behaviour which focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation. This enables an offender to see the impact of their crime and empowers survivors by giving them a voice.
What is the aim of restorative justice?
TO redress the balance between state vs criminal, crime is seen as being against a person or organisation and victims are allowed to be a part of what happens.
What does restorative justice aim to provide victims with?
Opportunity to explain impact of crime
Acknowledgement of harm caused
Chance to ask questions
Acceptance of Responsibility
Active involvement of both parties
What is Braithwaite’s stance?
‘crime hurts, justice should heal’. Restorative justice is about reparation not retribution.
How does restorative justice affect sentencing?
Could be given as an alternative to prison for young offenders.
Can occur in prison to reduce length of sentence.
What are the 3 types of restitution?
Financial - in compensation for psychological or physical damage.
Practical - Offender repairs damaged property themselves.
Emotional - Helps rebuild survivor’s confidence.
What is the RJC?
Restorative Justice Council, whose role it is to establish clear standards for the use of restorative justice to support victims.
What is the strength - Shapland
He found that after a 7-year project, 85% of survivors said they were satisfied with the process, and 60% said the process helped them.
What is the limitation - Wood and Suzuki?
They posit that restorative justice programmes are not always as survivor-focused as reported in satisfaction surveys. Survivors of the crime may be used to help rehabilitate offenders, not the other way round.
What is the strength - Strong?
He did a meta-analysis where he found offenders who experienced RJ less likely to reoffend - though reduction was larger in cases of violent crime than property crime.
What is the limitation - Dependant success?
The success of RJ depends on the offender genuinely feeling regret for their actions. It is possible that offenders use RJ to avoid punishments, play down their faults, or take pride in their relationship with the survivor.
