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Restorative Justice, what is it, and, is it a viable solution to today's costly yet ineffective criminal sentencing schemes?

RestorativeJustice.org defines Restorative Justice as the following:

Restorative justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused or revealed by criminal behavior. It is best accomplished through cooperative processes that include all stakeholders.

Practices and programs reflecting restorative purposes will respond to crime by:

1. identifying and taking steps to repair harm,  
2. involving all  stakeholders, and
3. transforming the traditional relationship between communities and their governments in responding to crime.

Some of the programs and outcomes typically identified with restorative justice include:

• Victim offender mediation
• Conferencing
• Circles
• Victim assistance
• Ex-offender assistance
• Restitution
• Community service

Three principles form the foundation for restorative justice:

1. Justice requires that we work to restore those who have been injured.
2. Those most directly involved and affected by crime should have the opportunity to participate fully in the response if they wish.
3. Government's role is to preserve a just public order, and the community's is to build and maintain a just peace.

Restorative programmes are characterized by four key values:

1. Encounter:  Create opportunities for victims, offenders and community members who want to do so to meet to discuss the crime and its aftermath
2. Amends:  Expect offenders to take steps to repair the harm they have caused
3. Reintegration:  Seek to restore victims and offenders  to whole, contributing members of society
4. Inclusion:  Provide opportunities for parties with a stake in a specific crime to participate in its resolution

OperationAwareness.com is initializing phase I of a Restorative Justice study. We'd like to invite readers to share their opinions. We are specifically looking, at this time for input from both crime victims and former offenders. We have devised a few short online questions for victims and offenders to contribute their invaluable insight. This is an anonymous and academically commissioned study. Victim and offender participation is vital.

The surveys are anonymous. The results will be documented and presented to various legislative agencies who are actively seeking viable and cost effective solutions which leave the community with better faith in the Justice System while saving dwindling state and federal resources.

The victim and offender surveys will run from August 8^th  2010 thru Septemeber 30^th 2010.

Phase II will focus on law enforcement, judiciary, and advocacy groups for victims and offenders. Phase III will focus on family members. We thank you in advance for your voluntary and anonymous participation in this study. Please note that you will be re-directed to an outside online survey site by following the links below.

Phase I Surveys are Now Available!  

Victim Survey Questionnaire - Click Here