Applying Restorative Justice Models in the Correctional Process

The concept restorative justice implies that the criminal offender, the victim, and the community should all be involved in the offender’s rehabilitation process. The offender must be held responsible for the harm caused to an individual and the community and compensate the victim and the community in a manner that is reasonable and just. The victim of crime has an opportunity to participate in the criminal justice process by providing input during the offender’s trial and sentencing and also by being compensated for physical, psychological, or property harm. The restorative justice model can be applied by all of the components of the criminal justice system. Police officers can apply various diversion tactics with both juvenile and adult offenders, the prosecutor can recommend diversion programs, and the judiciary usually can supervise pretrial release and various other restorative justice programs in lieu of incarceration of convicted offenders. The community participates in the restorative justice process by assisting in integrating the offender back into the community as a functioning member. In this chapter, several of the models used in restorative justice, including mediation, diversion, family counseling, and the application of restorative justice in community and institutional corrections, will be described.