The Impact of Restorative Approaches to Conflict Resolution in Youth Justice
The Impact of
Restorative approaches
To conflict resolution in
Youth Justice
Restorative practices, which evolved from restorative justice, are a new field of study that has the potential to positively influence human behaviour and strengthen civil society around the world. (Wachtel, 2012)
For this research paper I will look at the impact of restorative practice on the youth justice system here in Ireland from its beginning to its present state and compare it with other countries to see has it been effective.
I will first look the term restorative justice and the legislations here in Ireland to implement it. I have choosing the Crime, shame and reintegration by John Braithwaite, Criminal Justice in Ireland by Paul O’Mahony , Restorative Justice ,How it works by Marian Liebmann, Changing Lens by Howard J. Zehr to support my work.
In Howard Zehr’s book ‘Changing Lenses: A new focus for Crime and Justice’, written in 1990. He takes a look at how the victim is excluded from the court process,and how the person who caused the offence is giving an opportunity to express their emotions ,he makes the point that this process needs to change and for the victim to be included and be giving their chance to speak and say how they feel.
Zehr looks a number of issues which might explain why youths get into crime.
Peer involvement in problem behaviour
High proportion of unsupervised time with peers
Parental criminality
Poor parental discipline and supervision
Low family income
Social isolation
Alienation
Family conflict
Drug or alcohol misuse
Mental illness
Troubled home life
Poor educational attainment
Lack of skills unemployment Truancy
Disruptive behaviour such as aggression, hyperactive, bullying
School disorganisation
School exclusion
Deprivation such as poor housing, homelessness
Lack of social commitment
Early involvement in problem behaviour
Community disorganisation
Opportunity for crime
Restorative approaches
To conflict resolution in
Youth Justice
Restorative practices, which evolved from restorative justice, are a new field of study that has the potential to positively influence human behaviour and strengthen civil society around the world. (Wachtel, 2012)
For this research paper I will look at the impact of restorative practice on the youth justice system here in Ireland from its beginning to its present state and compare it with other countries to see has it been effective.
I will first look the term restorative justice and the legislations here in Ireland to implement it. I have choosing the Crime, shame and reintegration by John Braithwaite, Criminal Justice in Ireland by Paul O’Mahony , Restorative Justice ,How it works by Marian Liebmann, Changing Lens by Howard J. Zehr to support my work.
In Howard Zehr’s book ‘Changing Lenses: A new focus for Crime and Justice’, written in 1990. He takes a look at how the victim is excluded from the court process,and how the person who caused the offence is giving an opportunity to express their emotions ,he makes the point that this process needs to change and for the victim to be included and be giving their chance to speak and say how they feel.
Zehr looks a number of issues which might explain why youths get into crime.
Peer involvement in problem behaviour
High proportion of unsupervised time with peers
Parental criminality
Poor parental discipline and supervision
Low family income
Social isolation
Alienation
Family conflict
Drug or alcohol misuse
Mental illness
Troubled home life
Poor educational attainment
Lack of skills unemployment Truancy
Disruptive behaviour such as aggression, hyperactive, bullying
School disorganisation
School exclusion
Deprivation such as poor housing, homelessness
Lack of social commitment
Early involvement in problem behaviour
Community disorganisation
Opportunity for crime