NCJ Number
161257
Date Published
1995
Length
176 pages
Annotation
This volume compares the philosophy and operation of retributive justice systems in New Zealand, Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries and argues for a change to the restorative justice approach used by the Maori in New Zealand.
Abstract
The author has been a criminal justice practitioner in New Zealand for 30 years and judge for the last 15 years. He argues that retributive justice does society a major disservice by perpetuating a high rate of violent crime and creating a country more embittered and angry about the breakdown of law and order every year. The text also argues that the money spent on building new prisons and maintaining old ones is wasted and that no other area of government spending receives less scrutiny regarding positive effectiveness. Case examples from several countries illustrate these points, while the justice system of the Maori people demonstrates a contrasting philosophy. The analysis concludes that the retributive approach should be replaced by restorative justice. Restorative justice rests on a philosophy that emphasizes reconciliation, healing for victims, community, and wholeness, instead of punishment, vengeance, alienation, harshness, negativity, and destructiveness. A New Zealand survey revealing majority for offenders' meeting with their victim and becoming involved in some form of restitution indicates that some dimensions of restorative justice already have widespread support in New Zealand. Chapter notes and glossary