NCJ Number
172625
Date Published
1996
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This paper summarizes the current state of knowledge about public attitudes toward restorative justice, based on research findings that have been published in the last decade, with attention to a recently completed focus group discussion study in New Zealand.
Abstract
The review focuses on the views of the general public; research specifically on the views of crime victims or justice officials has been excluded; however, the research on public attitudes included members of the public who have been crime victims or who work in the justice system. Considerable research has been conducted to determine public attitudes toward reparation or restitution, but less research has been undertaken to assess attitudes toward a process that uses both reparation and mediation. The public finds the concept of offenders paying restitution to their victims attractive. There are limits to its use as an alternative to imprisonment, and the public favors the use of reparation or restitution for less serious offenses and offenders. There is apparently considerable support for its use in relation to property offenders. The studies also show public acceptance of both reparation and victim-offender mediation with less serious offending and offenders. The focus group discussion research conducted in New Zealand shows that there may be a level of support for using the process for a wider range of offenses, provided the victim favors it. 1 table and 31 references