Restorative Justice

Source: (1997) Access to Justice Exchange. Publication of the John Howard Society of Alberta. Downloaded 20 January 2005.

In this report, the John Howard Society of Alberta argues that restorative justice offers an alternative to Canada’s current punitive justice system, which is unable to reduce crime rates and which manifests a lack of concern for crime victims. The restorative justice process involves the offender, the victim and the community in negotiations and dialogue aimed at restitution, reconciliation and restoration of harmony. Canada’s current justice system, relying heavily on incarceration and punishment, does not rehabilitate offenders, deter others, or compensate victims. Restorative justice models lower costs associated with incarceration, provide the victim with a sense that justice was served, provide the offender with the feeling that the legal process has treated him or her fairly, address victim-offender relations, and make the community aware that it has a responsibility to the offender, victim, and justice system.