These twelve weeks have gone by extremely fast and before I knew it this course is almost complete and I am writing my final essay about restorative justice. I cannot begin to explain how much knowledge I have gained from this course. In my final essay I will discuss things I found to be most significant about restorative justice, my memorable lessons and how I can use the tools I have gained from this course in the future. Restorative justice focuses on the harm done to victims and offenders taking responsibility for their actions (Elizabeth Elliott, 2011). I find taking responsibility for one’s actions to be something that stands out about restorative justice. Rather than placing blame on the offender restorative justice acknowledges the
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Prior to this course I knew nothing about restorative justice. Looking back at my first critical essay about restorative justice was so generic. I just thought restorative justice was helping offenders reintegrate back into society. I never knew restorative justice could benefit both the victim and the offender by allowing the offender to take responsibility for their actions. I never understood the full idea of restorative justice and how it is implemented. Today, I know it is a way of problem solving with face to face meetings where the offender can express their remorse and repair …show more content…
There is strong evidence that restorative justice is effective. I do not think prisons should be abolished because some people need to be locked up. Prisons just need to be reformed; rather than exclusion and punishment, prisons can provide programs to help offenders (Lecture Notes). If justice institutions accept concepts of restorative justice this can result in less recidivism and crime rates can decrease. Restorative justice addresses the needs of the victim, offender and the community. It does not focus on punishing offenders. Restorative justice helps offenders reintegrate back into their communities and it strengthens social ties and connects people. Restorative justice promotes the common good such as telling the truth and taking responsibility (Elliott, 2011). These concepts can help transform our institutions of justice. Rather than blaming offenders and locking them up we can help offenders and victims
Prior to this course I knew nothing about restorative justice. Looking back at my first critical essay about restorative justice was so generic. I just thought restorative justice was helping offenders reintegrate back into society. I never knew restorative justice could benefit both the victim and the offender by allowing the offender to take responsibility for their actions. I never understood the full idea of restorative justice and how it is implemented. Today, I know it is a way of problem solving with face to face meetings where the offender can express their remorse and repair …show more content…
There is strong evidence that restorative justice is effective. I do not think prisons should be abolished because some people need to be locked up. Prisons just need to be reformed; rather than exclusion and punishment, prisons can provide programs to help offenders (Lecture Notes). If justice institutions accept concepts of restorative justice this can result in less recidivism and crime rates can decrease. Restorative justice addresses the needs of the victim, offender and the community. It does not focus on punishing offenders. Restorative justice helps offenders reintegrate back into their communities and it strengthens social ties and connects people. Restorative justice promotes the common good such as telling the truth and taking responsibility (Elliott, 2011). These concepts can help transform our institutions of justice. Rather than blaming offenders and locking them up we can help offenders and victims