What is restorative justice? List at least three main principles of restorative justice

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Restorative justice is a process where all parties with a stake in an offence come together to resolve collectively on how to deal with the aftermath.

Crime is primarily an offense against human relationships, and secondarily a violation of alaw (since laws are written to protect safety and fairness in human relationships).

Restorative Justice recognizes that crime (violation of persons and relationships) is wrong
and should not occur, and [it] also recognizes that after it does there are dangers and opportunities. The danger is that the community, victim(s), and/or offender emerge from theresponse further alienated, more damaged, disrespected, disempowered, feeling less safe, andless cooperative with society. The opportunity is that injustice is recognized, the equity isrestored (restitution and grace), and the future is clarified so that participants are safer, morerespectful, and more empowered and cooperative with each other and society.

Restorative Justice is a process to "make things as right as possible" which includes: attendingto needs created by the offense such as safety and repair of injuries to relationships andphysical damage resulting from the offense; and attending to needs related to the cause ofthe offense (addictions, lack of social or employment skills or resources, lack of moral orethical base, etc.).

The primary victim(s) of a crime is/are the one(s) most impacted by the offense. The secondaryvictims are others impacted by the crime and might include family members, friends,witnesses, criminal justice officials, community, etc.

As soon as immediate victim, community, and offender safety concerns are satisfied, RestorativeJustice views the situation as a teachable moment for the offender; an opportunity toencourage the offender to learn new ways of acting and being in community.

Restorative Justice prefers responding to the crime at the earliest point possible and with
the maximum amount of voluntary cooperation and minimum coercion, since healing in
relationships and new learning are voluntary and cooperative processes.

Restorative Justice prefers that most crimes are handled using a cooperative structure includingthose impacted by the offense as a community to provide support and accountability.This might include primary and secondary victims and family (or substitutes if theychoose not to participate), the offender and family, community representatives, governmentrepresentatives, faith community representatives, school representatives, etc.

Restorative Justice recognizes that not all offenders will choose to be cooperative. Thereforethere is a need for outside authority to make decisions for the offender who is notcooperative. The actions of the authorities and the consequences imposed should be testedby whether they are reasonable, restorative, and respectful (for victim(s), offender, andcommunity).

Restorative Justice prefers that offenders who pose significant safety risks and are not yet
cooperative be placed in settings where the emphasis is on safety, values, ethics, responsibility,accountability, and civility. They should be exposed to the impact of their crime(s)on victims, invited to learn empathy, and offered learning opportunities to become betterequipped with skills to be a productive member of society. They should continually beinvited (not coerced) to become cooperative with the community and be given the opportunityto demonstrate this in appropriate settings as soon as possible.

Restorative Justice requires follow-up and accountability structures utilizing the natural
community as much as possible, since keeping agreements is the key to building a trustingcommunity.

Restorative Justice recognizes and encourages the role of community institutions, includingthe religious/faith community, in teaching and establishing the moral and ethical standardswhich build up the community.