31 Aug Restorative justice
Restorative justice views crime as more than breaking the law. Crime also causes harm to people, relationships, and the community. The foundational principles of restorative justice are as follows (Centre for Justice and Reconciliation, 2020):
The foundational principles of restorative justice are as follows (Centre for Justice and Reconciliation, 2020):
Crime causes harm, and justice should focus on repairing that harm.
The people who are most affected by the crime should be able to participate in its resolution.
The responsibility of the government is to maintain order, and that of the community is to build peace.
Some common restorative justice programs include the following:
Victim–offender mediation programs
Victim assistance programs
Ex-offender assistance programs
From your textbook readings and unit resources, discuss the following with your classmates:
What crimes do you think are best addressed with restorative justice programs? Why?
What do you believe are the short and long term benefits of restorative justice programs?
