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Analyzing Cheryl Mahaffy's Article 'Face To Face'

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Analyzing Cheryl Mahaffy's Article 'Face To Face'
IDC 4U1
Mrs. Robinson
Alex Nikolic
04/12/2013
The article Face to Face by Cheryl Mahaffy focuses on restorative justice emphasizing that it focuses on repairing wrong­doing harms rather than meting out punishment. Restorative
Justice is an apparoach to justice that focuses on the needs and morals of the victims rather than a criminal legal punishment. Offenders take an active role in aiding with the harm they’ve done to the victim who would also be involved in the case. Offenders would participate in many different ways of repairing their wrong­doing such as participating in community service or classes, apologizing and meeting with all those affected in the crime. The concept of restorative justice comes from the theory of justice which suggests that crime is an action which is harmful
…show more content…
Restorative justice is only available to first time offender which really defends the concept of
“everyone makes mistakes”.
The articles attempts to present the thesis that restorative justice focuses on repairing wrongdoing’s harm rather than meting out punishment. The these which supports the use of restorative justice in today’s society. “Our criminal justice system current approach doesn’t address the impact of crime and the harm it causes to victim and communities. An offender may be punished and successfully complete his sentence but this doesn’t necessarily meet victim

needs, repair the harm done or increase the public’s sense or safety or satisfacion with the criminal justice system…. Restorative justice aims to repair and heal the harm caused by crime.
The victim and the offender, along with their supports, and community members, impacted by the crime, come together to join in a dialogue process.” (Mahaffy, 2012, 1). The explanation of the justice system in todays society is briefly explained. The article instantly showed a stance of supporting the use of restorative justice in our society. “It’s hard to face your victim and
…show more content…
This statement supports the fact that restorative justice is not a way to help and punish a single individual, whereas in the restorative justice system, the aim to ameliorate the entire community.
I managed to connect this article to a few different contents of the course. The article indirectly connected to deposits in Covey’s “Personal Bank Account”. The term “Personal Bank
Account (PBA)” which is in a way a savings account for yourself in which you can make deposits or withdrawals. The restorative justice method would be a deposit into ones PBA after a major withdrawal which would be the mistake of committing an offence. It would be a deposit as it would make them feel more remorseful toward the victim and have them understanding their actions in a clearer form. The article also made me think of the article “Drop Outs or Left
Outs” in which a law was imposed that no one could receive their drivers license without a secondary school diploma. This is opposing restorative justice as it is not giving the person

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