NCJ Number
121652
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 52 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1990) Pages: 62,64-66
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Contrary to the current criminal justice approach, which is preoccupied with maintaining public order and punishing offenders, the proposed strategy of restorative justice would balance the interests of victims, offenders, the government, and the local community.
Abstract
Three principles form the foundation of restorative justice. The first principle is that the criminal justice process must repair injuries to victims, communities, and offenders. The second principle is that victims, offenders, and communities, not only the government, must be involved throughout the criminal justice process. The third principle is that the government will preserve order, and the community will maintain peace. Proposed restorative justice reforms would grant victims a formal role in the criminal justice system, including the right to participate, with legal representation, in criminal cases to pursue restitution. Reforms would sentence nonviolent offenders to restitution and community service programs rather than prison and would provide victims with first-response and crisis-intervention services through local churches. Victims and offenders in every community would be provided with opportunities for reconciliation through church-based programs.