Restorative Justice Programs, Gender, and Recidivism.

Source: (2005) Public Organization Review: A Global Journal. 5: 375–389.

Restorative justice programs, which attempt to reintegrate offenders into society by building and
strengthening interpersonal relationships, may provide the juvenile justice system with an effective
option for female offenders. If women and men have different values, and women value connections
with others while men value independence and autonomy [Gilligan, C. (1982). In a Different Voice.
Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press], then programs that explicitly focus on
strengthening social bonds may be compatible with the value orientation of women. However,
research on the operation of the juvenile justice system has noted a history of gender bias, as
traditional notions of gender roles were reinforced by juvenile justice system professionals. While
restorative justice programs may be effective in reducing recidivism among female offenders, at the
same time, the informal nature of these programs may lead to the reinforcement of traditional gender
roles. (author’s abstract)