NCJ Number
184600
Journal
National Institute of Justice Journal Issue: 235 Dated: March 1998 Pages: 10-16
Editor(s)
Jolene Herron
Date Published
March 1998
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The former Executive Director of the Delaware Criminal Justice Council discusses the research he conducted on restorative justice during his time as a National Institute of Justice Visiting Fellow, with emphasis on the results of a survey of 290 legislators, prosecutors, judges, police, corrections professionals, victim advocates, and others.
Abstract
Restorative justice considers crime an act against the individual and the community rather than against the government. Restorative justice condemns the criminal act, holds offenders accountable, involves the participants, and encourages repentant offenders to earn their way back into society’s good graces. Some community practices encompass restorative justice principles; others do not. Restorative justice represents a return to ancient models of justice; unwritten codes as well as the earliest written codes focused on repairing the harm. Restitution and community services are familiar examples of restorative justice, although they are often used solely as punishment. The survey participants gave the restorative justice movement a generally positive rating. The most positive responses related to the increased victim and community involvement through a more personal process, more direct involvement of offenders, and the potential for improved system efficiency due to the fused agency focus. Drawbacks included the vagueness of the term "restorative justice," due process issues, and possible resulting disparity. Overall, the research indicated that the restorative justice model has great potential to coexist with the existing incapacitative and retributive models and to contribute to greater wellbeing for victims and communities. Figure, descriptions of specific restorative justice practices, photograph, and reference notes