Restorative Justice Programs

Question 1

What are Restorative Justice Programmes?

Answer 1

• A system for dealing with criminal behaviour which focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through the reconciliation with survivors

Question 2

What do Restorative Justice Programmes enable offender to do?

Answer 2

• This enables the offenders to see the impact of their crime by confronting the survivor of the incident which encourages responsibility onto the offender

Question 3

Why are Restorative Justice Programmes good for the victim?

Answer 3

• Serves to empower survivors by giving them a ‘voice’ of allowing them to re account what happened and how it made them feel

Question 4

What is the process of Restorative Justice Programmes?

Answer 4

• Involves a managed and supervised meeting between the survivor and offender, led by a trained mediator
• During, the survivor can explain the emotional and practical impact of the crime whilst the offender is encouraged to recognise the consequences

Question 5

What are some key features of a Restorative Justice Programme?

Answer 5

• A trained mediator is present
• Emphasis of offender’s responsibility
• Active participation from all parties

Question 6

When may Restorative Justice Programmes occur?

Answer 6

• May occur before sentencing or along side a prison sentence as an alternative to custody, or as a factor in sentence reduction

Question 7

What are some benefits for the survivor from Restorative justice programmes?

Answer 7

• Enales the to put crime behind them
• Empowerment
• GReater voice
• Understanding of why crime was committed

Question 8

What are some benefits for the offender from Restorative justice programmes

Answer 8

• Opportunity to apologise
• Opportunity for understanding consequences
• Repair harm done
• Opportunity to address and heal

Question 9

What are some benefits for the society from Restorative justice programmes

Answer 9

• Shows offenders are making up
• Reduces frequency of reoffending
• Opportunity to rebuild a sense of community