The first recognized case of restorative justice in Canada was in 1974. After two young offenders vandalized 22 properties in a small Ontario town, the assigned probation officer and a Mennonite prison support worker asked the judge for permission to arrange for the two offenders to meet with the victims of the vandalism in order to see if reparations could be made. This new approach was a success. Since that time, a number of similar programs have been developed throughout Canada and internationally.
What is restorative justice? There are few definitions by the field expertise to be referred to. According to John Braithwaite (2004) who is a distinguished professor and criminologist at the Australian National University (ANU)., restorative …show more content…
Besides, they measure success differently. Restorative justice measures how much harm is repaired or prevented while criminal justice measures how much punishment is inflicted. Restorative justice also views criminal acts more comprehensively while criminal justice defines crime as simply lawbreaking and offence against the state. Criminal justice addresses only legal issues and the main concern is to protect both parties' …show more content…
Restorative justice provides a platform to the victim and the offender to communicate and decide on the solution together. Restorative justice allows the victims to communicate with the offender, to voice out their feelings, their side of the story and the real impact of the crime, and come to an agreement about the hurt the offence has caused, the offender’s responsibility, and solution.
Third, to transform. Upon receiving the answer or apology from the offender, the victim might feel more relief and starts to forgive the offender. In that sense, the victim no longer needs to live in anger, hatred or fear. Other than healing the victim, communication also rehabilitates the offender. It renders a second chance to the offender to repair the harm caused by him through a way other than imprisonment. Restorative justice fosters peace and healing but does not neglect the personal accountability. Thus, this leads to fundamental changes in people, relationships and communities. Hence, in simpler terms, restorative justice not only seeks to reform the criminal justice system, but also to create a holistic change in the way we do justice in the world.
Restorative justice holds in balance these two needs, which are to identify wrongdoing of the offender and to allow for restitution and the healing of broken relationships through exploration of thoughts and feelings, so that forgiveness can take
What is restorative justice? There are few definitions by the field expertise to be referred to. According to John Braithwaite (2004) who is a distinguished professor and criminologist at the Australian National University (ANU)., restorative …show more content…
Besides, they measure success differently. Restorative justice measures how much harm is repaired or prevented while criminal justice measures how much punishment is inflicted. Restorative justice also views criminal acts more comprehensively while criminal justice defines crime as simply lawbreaking and offence against the state. Criminal justice addresses only legal issues and the main concern is to protect both parties' …show more content…
Restorative justice provides a platform to the victim and the offender to communicate and decide on the solution together. Restorative justice allows the victims to communicate with the offender, to voice out their feelings, their side of the story and the real impact of the crime, and come to an agreement about the hurt the offence has caused, the offender’s responsibility, and solution.
Third, to transform. Upon receiving the answer or apology from the offender, the victim might feel more relief and starts to forgive the offender. In that sense, the victim no longer needs to live in anger, hatred or fear. Other than healing the victim, communication also rehabilitates the offender. It renders a second chance to the offender to repair the harm caused by him through a way other than imprisonment. Restorative justice fosters peace and healing but does not neglect the personal accountability. Thus, this leads to fundamental changes in people, relationships and communities. Hence, in simpler terms, restorative justice not only seeks to reform the criminal justice system, but also to create a holistic change in the way we do justice in the world.
Restorative justice holds in balance these two needs, which are to identify wrongdoing of the offender and to allow for restitution and the healing of broken relationships through exploration of thoughts and feelings, so that forgiveness can take