Restorative Justice: Importance and Basic Concepts

Restorative Justice
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Restorative Justice
Restorative justice is an approach to justice that focuses on the solution to a crime by bringing together the lawbreaker, the victim, and the community to restore harmony. The system views an offense not only as a violation of the law against the government but as a desecration of human relationships and an injury to the victim and community (Leonard, 2022). Each group is hurt differently, and there are diverse ways to be met for healing. Restorative justice comprises arbitration and conflict resolution between the wrongdoer, the victim, the community, and relatives. The offender is held accountable for the crime but also provided with the opportunity to learn an upright lifestyle as a genuine alternative to misconduct. Crime disturbs society's logic of trust, creating rifts between neighbors, friends, community, and relatives. Justice should reestablish victims, communities, and offenders affected by a crime. A civilization must respond to offenders' responsibilities and victimized parties' needs to promote welfare (Lee & Dandurand, 2020). Therefore, the system is based on the realization of compassion, healing, reparation, and reintegration.
Adopting the restorative justice system in the community is very important. First, the system has a high success rate in reducing offenses' recurrence. The probability of recidivism is considerably abridged when a community reintegrates their resident after repairing harm. The offenders can learn from the process and make things right by leading a crime-free life (Kirkwood, 2022). Secondly, when felonies decrease, safety increases, thus making a town and neighborhood a pleasant place to live. Third, a therapeutic approach to criminalities saves the nation money by preventing people from becoming a part of the criminal justice system for crimes that can be resolved locally with the victim, offender, and community participation. For example, a case where an individual steals food from people's houses can be resolved locally. Additionally, the system promotes unity, active citizenship, and people's confidence in the criminal justice system. Similarly, it promotes cohesive and robust communities with an increased social network among neighbors and towns (Leonard, 2022). Generally, communities with a restorative justice system are united, safe, and attractive.
Restorative justice programs are many; however, the most common ones are Victim-offender reconciliation (VOR), circles, and restorative conferences (Kirkwood, 2022). The VOR is the most popular program. It offers an indirect or direct progression where the offender and victim discuss the offense and its impacts while facilitat...