LS202 Lecture Notes - Restorative Justice, Harm Reduction
10 Mar 2013
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Document Summary
A holistic approach to wrongdoing, harm reduction practice. Offender must admit their offence and hear how it affected others. Can involve the family and friends of the offender and the victim. Leads to the reintegration of the offender [main difference because offenders are usually sent to prison (which taxpayers pay for)] changing them to be better. Why use restorative justice: 718 of the criminal code states all methods of discipline should be considered for offenders. Opportunities to apply restorative justice processes to criminal cases. Focus is on breaking a rule then receiving a consequence. Offence is viewed as affecting a relationship and the community. Punishment alone is not effective in changing behavior, accountability is established by repairing harm. Victims are central in process and community members can be actively involved. 3 elements of restorative justice: accountability [consequence, community protection [feelings of safeness, competency development [reducing recidivism] Help victims reintegrate into community and address issues along the way.
