Restorative Justice

Restorative justice aims to promote ​ (a)   through reconciliation and ​ (b)   to the community. In practice it usually involves direct (​ (c)   ) or indirect (through a ​ (d)   ) communication between victims and offenders.

• accountability
• reconnection
• face-to-face
• mediator

Look at the 'social justice' window that outlines the control and support each type of punishment offers. See if you can place the correct punishment descriptor to the window.

b

c

d

e

Restorative

Punitive

Neglectful

Permissive

Retributive

Match the following types of restorative justice to their restorative focus.

• Community Reconciliation

• Crime Compensation

• Victim Reparation

• Victim Sensitivity Training

• Victim Reparation

• Offender Family Services

• Offender Responsibility

• Community Sentencing

• Offender Responsibility

• Victim Support Services

According to meta analysis research, what are the recidivism rates for restorative justice? (short custodial sentencing recidivism is 37% approx.)

• 11%

• 3%

• 44%

• 22%

Community sentences (unpaid work in the community) are an example of a restorative justice programme.

• True

• False

Match the following evaluative points to decide if they are a strength or weakness of restorative justice programmes.

• Weakness

• Restorative justice successfully reduces recidivism for personal crimes (violence/sex) but has less impact on property offences.

• Weakness

• The programmes are not as successful for younger offenders compared to older offenders.

• Weakness

• Some victims report feeling pressured to take part in the programme.

• Weakness

• Ministry of Justice research has found restorative justice successful at preventing reoffending.

• Strength

• The process requires the consent of the victim and an acceptance of guilt from the offender.

Answer explanation

Some of the weaknesses regarding the relative success of the programmes are more discussion points than specific weaknesses. We're not sure why the programmes are less effective on younger offenders, perhaps morality is linked? Property offences are often seen as victimless crimes (shoplifting), which could explain the type of offence variation.