Restorative Practice. Restorative justice. Restorative justice (also sometimes called reparative justice)[1] is an approach to justice that focuses on the needs of the victims and the offenders, as well as the involved community, instead of satisfying abstract legal principles or punishing the offender. Victims take an active role in the process, while offenders are encouraged to take responsibility for their actions, "to repair the harm they've done—by apologizing, returning stolen money, or community service".[2] Restorative justice involves both victim and offender and focuses on their personal needs. In addition, it provides help for the offender in order to avoid future offences. It is based on a theory of justice that considers crime and wrongdoing to be an offence against an individual or community, rather than the state.[3] Restorative justice that fosters dialogue between victim and offender shows the highest rates of victim satisfaction and offender accountability.[4] Definition[edit] Who has been hurt?
History[edit] What Is Restorative Justice / Restorative Justice Council. Restorative practice in communities resolves conflict before it turns into crime and builds community ownership of solutions. Restorative practices in communities resolve conflicts and neighbour disputes before they escalate into crime. It is an effective approach to dealing with anti-social behaviour, graffiti, noise and criminal damage, enabling people to understand the impact of their behaviour on others. For victims of anti-social behaviour it delivers effective outcomes owned by the local community, and reduces the fear of crime.
Restorative practices have also been used to deal with gang-related conflicts. Restorative approaches in communities include a range of models including community mediation; police and community support officers using restorative skills on the street; and Community Justice Panels - an innovative community based delivery model being used in Sheffield and in South Somerset. 20th Dec 2010 | community, neighbours, cultural, Neighbourhood Justice Panel. Information For You / Restorative Justice Council. Information For You / Restorative Justice Council. Victim Support » Restorative justice. Research into pre-sentence restorative justice in England and Wales. CLOSED COURTROOMS only protect bad judges and bad lawyers, said US Judge Judy in Ireland.