Restorative Justice
The History
Restorative justice is a relatively young field that emerged in the 1970s as an alternative to traditional court processes. This was occurring alongside the rise of the victims’ rights movement, which advocated for greater involvement of crime victims in the criminal justice system and the use of restitution as a means of compensating for losses. Although the principles and practices of restorative justice have roots in indigenous cultures, the modern restorative justice movement is often traced back to a 1974 case in Kitchener, Ontario. In this case, two teenagers were required to meet with and make restitution to all twenty-two people whose property they had vandalized. This experiment is considered the starting point of today's restorative justice movement.
Restorative Justice
Restorative justice is a process that aims to bring together those affected by a crime or conflict, including those who were harmed and those responsible, to repair the harm and find a positive way forward. This approach is part of a larger field called restorative practice.
Restorative practice can be used in any context to prevent conflict, build relationships, and repair harm by empowering people to communicate effectively and positively. It is increasingly being used in schools, children’s services, workplaces, hospitals, communities, and the criminal justice system.
Restorative practice involves a proactive approach to preventing harm and conflict, as well as activities that repair harm when conflict has already occurred. If repair is necessary, a facilitated restorative meeting can be held where individuals and groups can work together to improve their mutual understanding of the issue and jointly reach the best possible resolution. In many cases, a less formal approach based on recovery-oriented principles may be more appropriate.
Restorative practice helps people recognize that their actions affect others and that they are responsible for their choices and actions, which can be held accountable. It enables people to think about how they treat each other and how best to prevent harm and conflict.