NCJ Number
212290
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 45 Issue: 6 Dated: November 2005 Pages: 938-957
Date Published
November 2005
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This paper presents a recently completed study in England of young offenders’ experiences of restorative justice and social exclusion in arguing that restorative justice has become harnessed to the interests of reinforcing moral discipline as opposed to engaging with social justice.
Abstract
In England, the Crime and Disorder Act of 1998 sets out a new framework for the governance of youth crime. Within this act, the management of risk through the responsibilization of offenders can be seen. One of the main strategies by which the Act hopes to make young offenders more responsible or challenge the perceived risks posed by inadequacies in their moral reasoning through the use of restorative justice interventions. However, in reviewing a recent research study, the evidence shows, that in the current penal climate, the pursuit of responsibilization has tended to overshadow that of restoration and reintegration in the delivery of restorative justice interventions. The study conducted in 2003 by the Youth Justice Board evaluated the effectiveness of a specific restorative justice intervention program in preventing reoffending among young people. The study findings indicate that in general the program achieved its aims to responsibilize young offenders, enable reparation to victims, and facilitate victim participation and empowerment. In utilizing the results of the study, it is argued that restorative justice has become harnessed to the interests of reinforcing moral discipline rather than engaging social justice. References