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Can restorative justice be used in conjunction with traditional legal punishments?

Stoney MacAnelley

In my opinion, restorative justice can definitely be used in conjunction with traditional legal punishments. Restorative justice is a process that allows offenders to take responsibility for their actions and make amends for the harm caused. It involves meeting with the victim and finding a way to repair the harm that has been done, whether that involves community service, compensation, or other measures.

Traditional legal punishments, on the other hand, are designed to punish offenders for their wrongdoing and deter future crime. These punishments can range from fines to imprisonment, and are intended to send a message that certain behaviors will not be tolerated.

While restorative justice and traditional legal punishments may seem like they are at odds with each other, they can actually work together to create a more effective justice system. In cases where a victim is harmed, it may be more beneficial for the offender to go through a restorative justice process in addition to a traditional punishment.

For example, imagine a case where a young person steals a phone from someone on the street. In the traditional justice system, the offender may be fined and sentenced to community service or probation. While these punishments may deter the offender from committing similar crimes in the future, they do little to help the victim recover from the harm caused.

In a restorative justice process, however, the offender would have the opportunity to meet with the victim and make amends for their actions. This could involve apologizing directly to the victim, returning the stolen phone, or offering to perform community service that benefits the victim. This process allows the offender to take responsibility for their actions and make things right, while also addressing the harm caused to the victim.

Overall, I believe that restorative justice can be a valuable addition to traditional legal punishments in certain situations. While the justice system should continue to hold offenders accountable for their actions, it is important to also focus on ways to repair the harm caused and prevent future crime. By combining both approaches, we can create a more effective and just system of justice for all.