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How does restorative justice differ from traditional criminal justice approaches?

Khadijah Yter

Restorative justice and traditional criminal justice approaches are two widely used methods of dealing with criminal activities. While both have a fundamentally similar goal of ensuring justice, there are inherent differences between the two approaches.

Restorative justice differs from traditional criminal justice approaches in a few crucial ways. Firstly, the primary aim of restorative justice is to restore the harm caused by a criminal offense. It is a process that enables the victim, offender, and community to come together to address the harm caused by the offense and to find ways to repair it. This includes a greater emphasis on repairing relationships, addressing the underlying causes of the criminal activity, and promoting long-term healing rather than simply punishing the offender.

In contrast, traditional criminal justice approaches have a more punitive focus, seeking to punish the offender for their actions. The intention of this is to deter future criminal activity and to hold the offender accountable for their wrongdoing. Traditional criminal justice often has a one-size-fits-all mentality when it comes to punishment, without addressing the unique circumstances and needs of each individual offender.

Another key difference between restorative justice and traditional criminal justice approaches is the involvement of the victim. Restorative justice aims to give the victim a sense of control over the situation by allowing them to have a say in the outcome. The victim is given the opportunity to express the harm suffered as a result of the offense and to have a hand in determining what action will be taken to repair it. This approach empowers the victim and can help them to feel a sense of closure and healing.

In contrast, traditional criminal justice approaches often minimize the role of the victim, with the prosecutor taking the lead in the process. The victim's voice is often lost in the process, and they are not given the same sense of control over the outcome of the case.

A further distinction between restorative justice and traditional criminal justice approaches is the focus on the offender. Restorative justice views the offender as a human being with the capacity to change and make amends for their actions. This approach emphasizes the need for the offender to take responsibility for their actions and to work towards repairing the harm they have caused. It also recognizes that offenders come from a variety of backgrounds with unique needs, and seeks to address those needs in the process.

In contrast, traditional criminal justice approaches may view the offender as a criminal with fixed traits that make them likely to commit future crimes. This approach does not take into consideration the offender's individual circumstances or needs and therefore does not provide the same level of support or rehabilitation.

In conclusion, restorative justice differs from traditional criminal justice approaches in several significant ways. It prioritizes restoring harm, encourages victim empowerment, focuses on rehabilitation and recognizes the individual needs of offenders. These unique approaches to justice have shown promise in terms of reducing recidivism rates and promoting healing for victims. As a user of social media, it is important to understand and recognize these differences and to advocate for more restorative justice practices in our communities.