Restorative Justice and the Criminal Justice System
Restorative Justice 1
Running Head: RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
Restorative Justice and the Criminal Justice System
Jeffrey A. McGhee
PSF5002
Survey of Public Safety Issues, Theory and Concepts
501 West Northern Parkway
Baltimore, Maryland 21210
Telephone: 410-323-7452
Email: jmcghee6@gmail.com
Instructor: Kenneth Szymkowiak
Restorative Justice 2 The modern field of restorative justice developed in the 1970’s from case experiments in several communities with a proportionately sizable Mennonite population. Mennonites and other practitioners in Ontario, Canada, and later in Indiana, experimented with victim offender encounters that led to programs in these communities and later became models for programs throughout the world. Restorative justice theory developed initially from these particular efforts [ (Zehr, 2002) ]. The restorative justice movement originally began as an effort to rethink the needs which crimes create, as well as the roles implicit in crimes. Restorative justice advocates were concerned about needs that were not being met in the usual justice process [ (Zehr, 2002) ]. The criminal justice system’s approach to justice has some important strengths. Yet, there is also a growing acknowledgment of this system’s limits and failures. Victims, offenders, and community members often feel that justice does not adequately meet their needs. Justice professionals, who make up the core components, such as: judges, lawyers, prosecutors, probation and parole officers, and prison staff frequently express a sense of frustration as well. Many feel that the process of justice deepens societal wounds and conflicts rather than contributing to healing or peace [ (Zehr, 2002) ]. Interdisciplinary study and research in public safety and restorative justice is very important. Restorative justice at this day in age will not replace the current court system, but it offers an alternative resolution service for people who want to try
Running Head: RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
Restorative Justice and the Criminal Justice System
Jeffrey A. McGhee
PSF5002
Survey of Public Safety Issues, Theory and Concepts
501 West Northern Parkway
Baltimore, Maryland 21210
Telephone: 410-323-7452
Email: jmcghee6@gmail.com
Instructor: Kenneth Szymkowiak
Restorative Justice 2 The modern field of restorative justice developed in the 1970’s from case experiments in several communities with a proportionately sizable Mennonite population. Mennonites and other practitioners in Ontario, Canada, and later in Indiana, experimented with victim offender encounters that led to programs in these communities and later became models for programs throughout the world. Restorative justice theory developed initially from these particular efforts [ (Zehr, 2002) ]. The restorative justice movement originally began as an effort to rethink the needs which crimes create, as well as the roles implicit in crimes. Restorative justice advocates were concerned about needs that were not being met in the usual justice process [ (Zehr, 2002) ]. The criminal justice system’s approach to justice has some important strengths. Yet, there is also a growing acknowledgment of this system’s limits and failures. Victims, offenders, and community members often feel that justice does not adequately meet their needs. Justice professionals, who make up the core components, such as: judges, lawyers, prosecutors, probation and parole officers, and prison staff frequently express a sense of frustration as well. Many feel that the process of justice deepens societal wounds and conflicts rather than contributing to healing or peace [ (Zehr, 2002) ]. Interdisciplinary study and research in public safety and restorative justice is very important. Restorative justice at this day in age will not replace the current court system, but it offers an alternative resolution service for people who want to try
References: Backgrounder: Restorative Justice. (2008, April). Retrieved October 28, 2008, from Minnesota Department of Corrections: www.doc.state.mn.us Braithwaite, J. (2001). Restorative Justice and Responsive Regulation. Oxford University Press. Criminal Justice Overview. Retrieved September 24, 2008 from http://media.capella.edu/Coursemedia/PSF5002/media_CJOverview/outer_wrapper.asp. Kelly, T. (2001, February). Survivors of Child Homicide vs. The Criminal Justice System. Retrieved October 9, 2008, from http://web.pdx.edu/~psu17799/homicide.htm Minnesota Department of Corrections Restorative Justice Iniative. (n.d.). Retrieved November 2, 2008, from Historical Development: forums.doc.state.mn.us/site/rjac/Restorative%20Justice% Pranis, K. (n.d.). Building Community Support for Restorative Justice: Principles and Strategies. Retrieved October 28, 2008, from International Institute for Restorative Practices: October 29, 2008, from U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/topics/courts/ restorative-justice/perspectives Smith, M. (2001, June). Sentencing & Corrections: Issues for the 21st Century. Retrieved October 29, 2008, from U.S