Introduction
In the modern world, criminal cases are on the rise and the government is not taking any chance for the victims to go unpunished. It is due to this emergence that a Criminal Justice System was formed by lawyers for the lawyers themselves, and the resultant solution was that victims and offenders for their first-time trial should deny the guilt charges against them even when the guilt of the offense. Through research, it was evident that most of the crimes committed were due to poverty, low education, severe murder and unemployment (Canadian Resource Centre for Victims, 2011).
Considering the rights of Victims in Restorative Justice.
Proper restorative justice programs contain well-equipped and trained personnel who understand the needs of the victims, why they did the crime and the rules of the criminal justice system (CJS). Through the judicial systems, the offenders are free to express their feelings and thoughts and adverse effects arising from the crime they committed. With this kind of transparency, the victims can make an appeal to the court to drop the punishment or term incarceration by addressing and repairing the harm caused in a particular area. In addition, the majority of the victims has gained emotional healing and strength as well reducing their fear of the offense through involvement in the CJS programs.
The Centre further argues that for crimes such as rape and murder humanizes both the offender and the victim and despite the CJS programs put in place should be applied in addressing and responding to the crimes committed through a dialogue under a different organ called Victim-Offender Mediation program(10).
Policies of Restorative Justice
In as much as the principles of restorative justice are important, in some cases such as murder, they may not be effectively applied. For many survivors of crimes, the punishment should be implied to these people, and the strong feelings of the victim must be respected. On the other hand, the policies include a circle of support and accountability which entails volunteer groups from the faith community. They educate the offender to do a reasonable duty, be responsible to the community by providing a healthy environment and discussing his attitudes and behavior and measures to rectify them.
Second policy is in community justice forums whereby facilitators and mediators assist the accused person and their families to meet the victims, their supporters, lawyers and the police to discuss and resolve the matter in a peaceful manner. If necessary, a duly signed affidavit may be required to act as evidence of the termination of the case.
Lastly, the formation of Victim Offender Mediation Programs (VMOP) has helped both the victims and offenders get a sense of belonging and reconciliation leading to satisfaction, closure and later healing from the aftermath crime. Any payments can be made as a form of compensation to the victim and reduced to writing as case schedules are monitored at every step until a common solution is arrived at (Ruddy, 2014).
In conclusion, the restoration justice programs are important in changing the life of criminals in the rehabilitation centers. Also, more steps should be taken to ensure that victims are satisfied with their involvement in the case through a balanced state of power and justice done in a centralized and open way. Criminals should view this kind of programs positively as those helping them to change their code of conduct and correcting their behavioral misconduct.
References
Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime. (2011). Restorative Justice in Canada: what victims should know. http://crcvc.ca/docs/restjust.pdf.
Ruddy, R. (2014). The Victim’s Role in the Justice Process. Internet Journal of Criminology.
