According to Volunteers of America, each case resolved through restorative justice outside the court system saves an average of $48,000. By using restorative justice, we not only make our communities safer, but we also ensure sound fiscal decision-making. (Getty Images)
Everyone agrees that those who harm others should make amends for what they have done. Victims of crime deserve to feel that justice has been done in their case. Judges and prosecutors work very hard to ensure that justice is done in every case, and we take that quest for fair trial and resolution very seriously.
For a long time, criminal penalties such as probation and fines were the only tools judges and prosecutors had at our disposal to make offenders right their wrongs. Sometimes, however, these unfortunate acts provide great opportunities for young people to learn from their mistakes and promote positive behavior change.
Restorative justice provides a facilitated process that allows individuals harmed by misconduct to meet with the perpetrator so they can negotiate their own resolution outside the traditional justice system. It enables victims and perpetrators to fully participate in the resolution of the crime and work to find a solution that redresses negative situations and turns them into learning experiences that benefit both parties in the long term. The program is voluntary and begins with a facilitated meeting between the two parties. The injured person can explain how the violation has affected him or her and what needs to be done to make up for previous wrongs.
Both parties work together to determine a course of action that will allow those who caused harm to not only fully understand the severity of their actions, but also to make amends for what they did. For example, a young person who breaks into a supermarket and steals money from the register can pay back the stolen money to the store owner and work a certain number of hours at the store to make amends for his or her actions.
Those who have been harmed and with whom we have worked in the past as part of the restorative justice program are happy to have participated. By working with perpetrators to ensure they accept responsibility and move through the recovery process, they often tell us they feel a sense of closure and healing.
One of these individuals was a woman named Robin. Going through the recovery process turned out to be what both individuals needed to move forward.
“Sometimes people just need someone to say, ‘It’s okay, I understand, and I forgive you,’” she said. “[Restorative justice] is a great process for people who need to communicate and resolve issues honestly.”
When asked what the outcome would have been if restorative justice was not an option, she said, “We both would have walked away not knowing the options.”
By connecting directly with the people they harmed, offenders better understand why their actions have real-life consequences. According to data made available by the Administrative Office of the Courts, offenders who participate in restorative justice programs are more than 50% less likely to commit a crime in the future.
Additionally, this program saves communities significant tax dollars. According to Volunteers of America, each case resolved through restorative justice outside the court system saves an average of $48,000. By using restorative justice, we not only make our communities safer, but we also ensure sound fiscal decision-making.
As provincial attorneys, we recognize our duty to maintain law and order in our communities. While punitive measures have traditionally been our main tool, restorative justice has proven to be a promising alternative, providing a path to healing and accountability for both victims and perpetrators.
As we continue to navigate the complexities of our legal system, it is important to keep the best interests of our communities at the forefront. By using programs like restorative justice, our communities benefit and emerge stronger.
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