Guide for Implementing the Balanced and Restorative Justice Model

• NCJ Number: 167887
• Author(s): K Pranis
• Date Published: December 1998
• Length: 95 pages
• Agencies: OJJDP

Annotation

The Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) model, developed by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, is an effective tool for achieving youth accountability and enhancing community safety.

Abstract

BARJ goals are to provide training and technical assistance and to develop a variety of written materials that inform policy and practice. The emphasis is on accountability, competency development, and community safety. The BARJ model focuses attention on enabling offenders to make amends to victims and communities, increasing offender competencies, and protecting the public. In addition, the BARJ model responds to many issues raised by the victims movement, including concerns that victims have little input into the resolution of their own cases. The balanced approach embodied in BARJ is based on an understanding of crime as an act against the victim and the community. The BARJ implementation guide is part of a series of policy and practice monographs and training materials for the field. The guide contains sections on balanced and restorative justice policies and practices and practice and includes case studies that demonstrate change toward a balanced and restorative justice model. Additional information on the BARJ model is provided in three appendixes. 7 tables and 1 figure