Restorative Justice and Recidivism: Investigating the Impact of Victim-Preference for Level of Engagement

Wager, Nadia; O’Keeffe, Ciarán; Bates, Andrew; Emerson, Gooff

doi:10.3935/ljsr.v22i1.83

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 5 publications

(4 reference statements)

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“…In contrast to the findings, however, recent research concluded that letters of apology were significantly effective for both property and low-level offences (Wager et al , 2015). In addition, an imbalance in the verbal skills required for direct communication has been reported within the literature, often due to the culture, ethnicity or socioeconomic background of the individuals (Willis, 2020; Willis and Hoyle, 2019).…”

Section: Findings and Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 76%

‘It is successful, and if it is successful, it reduces crime, and it can make the victims happier’: volunteers’ perceptions of working in restorative justice

Kitson-Boyce,

Athwal-Kooner

2024

JFP

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Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of those volunteering within a restorative justice service thus enabling an insight into their perceptions of the different methods used, their beliefs about restorative justice effectiveness, and its place within the criminal justice system. The study also sought to identify any challenges and positive experiences the participants encountered during their role as volunteers, with volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic explored specifically. Design/methodology/approach Data was collected from the participants (n = 5) via semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis, thus enabling patterns within the experience of the volunteers to be identified. Findings A prior understanding and interest in restorative justice was evident within the data, with participants demonstrating a preference for direct, face-to-face mediation. The perceived lack of support from external agencies was discussed along with the role of education in their volunteering experience. Finally, it was acknowledged that although face-to-face practice was deemed the most effective overall, certain practices adopted during COVID-19 enabled aspects of the role to be carried out more efficiently and equally as effectively. Practical implications The findings from this study draw out real-world implications, producing tangible action points for restorative justice services. Some tentative suggestions for future practice are outlined. Originality/value The volunteers’ role within restorative justice is often overlooked within the literature (Paul and Borton, 2013) and time constraints can add additional barriers to a hard-to-reach population. However, volunteers play a vital role in restorative justice. By exploring and listening to the volunteers’ experience, this study expands an additional strand within the literature in terms of what makes restorative justice effective and the challenges that are faced from a volunteer perspective.

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Section: Findings and Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 76%

‘It is successful, and if it is successful, it reduces crime, and it can make the victims happier’: volunteers’ perceptions of working in restorative justice

Kitson-Boyce,

Athwal-Kooner

2024

JFP

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“…Restorative justice models can involve formal and informal procedures meant to give voice to the victim and encourage reflection and rehabilitation for the offender (Hopkins, 2012; Ptacek & Frederick, 2008). While processes used to achieve these goals can vary substantially, all restorative processes share a commitment to identifying and articulating the impact of harms and finding responses that ameliorate those harms (Goodmark, 2015; Koss et al, 2004; Wager et al, 2015); restorative justice can be embedded within systems. By contrast, the transformative justice model positions restorative principles outside the justice system, to hold communities accountable for their role in violence and transform the conditions that facilitate abuse (Coker, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Defining Justice: Restorative and Retributive Justice Goals Among Intimate Partner Violence Survivors

Decker

Holliday

Hameeduddin

et al. 2020

J Interpers Violence

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Intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence (SV) are drivers of women’s morbidity and mortality yet remain among the most underreported crimes in the United States. Understanding IPV/SV survivors’ justice preferences and justice definitions can strengthen violence prevention and response systems. In-depth interviews were conducted with women who experienced past-year IPV ( n = 26), to explore their justice preferences and recommendations. Primary themes included accountability, safety, and rehabilitation, with examples within and outside the current justice system, and across restorative and retributive justice frameworks. Women sought accountability through a variety of means. Retributive approaches like incarceration offered accountability as well as fleeting safety, but were critically limited in addressing the root causes of violence and, in some cases, were felt to exacerbate the problem. Women’s expressed needs and preferences centered on restorative aspects of justice, including perpetrator’s acknowledgment of harm, achieving physical safety and stability, and perpetrator rehabilitation through counseling. Paradoxically, women’s safety-related justice goals both encouraged and discouraged their engagement in the formal justice system. The discordance between women’s justice preferences and their perceptions and experiences within the current justice system illustrate complex and difficult trade-offs faced by survivors in achieving physical, social, and economic safety. Moreover, they likely contribute to the low levels of IPV/SV reporting to police. Women’s goals were aligned with restorative justice principles, illustrating the value of this approach. In an era of unprecedented dialogue on justice reform, results provide direction for integrating restorative justice practices to strengthen the justice response to violence against women.

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Restorative Justice and Recidivism: Investigating the Impact of Victim-Preference for Level of Engagement

Cited by 2 publications

References 5 publications

‘It is successful, and if it is successful, it reduces crime, and it can make the victims happier’: volunteers’ perceptions of working in restorative justice

‘It is successful, and if it is successful, it reduces crime, and it can make the victims happier’: volunteers’ perceptions of working in restorative justice

Defining Justice: Restorative and Retributive Justice Goals Among Intimate Partner Violence Survivors

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