Restorative Justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes
repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior. It is best
accomplished through cooperative processes that allow all willing
stakeholders to meet, although other approaches are available when
that is impossible. This can lead to transformation of people,
relationships and communities.
The foundational principles of restorative justice have been
summarized as follows:
Crime causes harm and justice should focus on repairing that
harm.
The people most affected by the crime should be able to
participate in its resolution.
The responsibility of the government is to maintain order and
of the community to build peace.
Restorative justice is a principled approach to responding to
criminal activities or problematic behaviors. It has been applied
as an alternative to the traditional, punitive criminal justice
system. It has also been used in schools, child protection, mental
health, and other social systems.
Methods of restorative justice include mediation,
victim-offender dialogue, family group conference, truth and
reconciliation processes, community service, and traditional Native
American healing circles. Some methods of restorative justice
promote all of the restorative principles.
Others promote just some of these principles. Restorative
justice is not soft justice. Although restorative justice does not
require punishment, holding people accountable may require them to
provide compensation, restitution, and taking steps to ensure that
the problematic behaviors to not recur.
Restorative justice may help communities and individuals deal
with the underlying problems that caused the criminal activity or
problematic behaviors. Restorative justice approaches have been
shown to be more effective than many of the traditional approaches
to criminal justice in relation to rates of recidivism.