Free Essay On Restorative Justice

Restorative justice is an approach of fixing the harm caused through an illegal behavior. It emphasizes on satisfying the needs of the community, offender and the directly affected victims instead of just punishing the wrongdoer. Restorative justice involves identifying the best approach to repair the offense while actively involving all parties concerned. Currently, restorative justice is becoming common and gaining support from criminal justice experts as well as the community. Criminal justice professionals vies restorative justice as a way of solving problems in an informal manner, but the involved parties have their needs met without causing more harm on another. Some states in United States of America have established departments that assist jurisdictions and agencies to implement their quest for a case to be solved using restorative justice. The set up departments provide technical assistance through connecting the individuals with professionals and community advocates in restorative justice.
Restorative justice serves a significant purpose in the society because it does not strain the concerned parties. However, it requires adoption of certain approaches in order for its impact to be felt. Problem solving circles and conferencing is a significant approach in mending the harm and relationships affected. Moreover, the process restores and develops a stronger relationship between the government and community in terms of crime reduction. When the community is encouraged to acre for each other and take a personal responsibility to reduce and report crimes creates a habitably society. Instead of breaking an existing relationship because of minor conflicts, restorative justice assists in maintaining them by adopting informal mediation processes.
With restorative justice, the victims play an active role where they get more opportunities so that they can recuperate their own power. Experts in restorative justice underline that the victims should be allowed enough time to express their inner feelings, justice accorded and restoration of the power they lost through the offender. The offenders are required to understand the harm they caused to the victims and the community. Through conferencing and informal mediations, the offender socialized to accept their mistake and take responsibility. The community is responsible for ensuring the victims and offenders are served equally. They are also responsible for ensuring that future victimization does not arise. Therefore, restorative justice is more favorable especially where minor conflicts are concerned.