Seminar Report: Restorative Justice — Restorative Practices: Are They the Same?

Martin Wright, who made the original request, offered an overview titled, “Restorative Practices and Restorative Justice.” He explored the various forms that the concepts of “restorative” and “justice” can take. He argued for a focus on the overarching philosophy behind “restorative practices” and “restorative justice”. He went on to outline a vision where  restorative practices are used in all aspects of social life including schools, communities, criminal justice, commercial interests, etc.

Dr. Inge Vanfraechem followed with a presentation titled, “Restorative Justice: In Search of Clarity.” She called for a clear definition of restorative justice to include the following points:

• Restorative justice as an option for doing justice;

• After the occurrence of an offence;

• Primarily articulated towards repairing: individual, relational and social harm;

• Best accomplished through communication processes

While stressing the differences between “restorative justice” and “restorative practices”, Dr. Vanfraechem maintained that “restorative practices should not be excluded from restorative justice.” Combining the two ideas runs the risk of both blurring the lines between criminal and non-criminal activities and widening the net of social control by co-opting civil society.

Dr. Ivo Aertsen explored the concept of “justice” in his presentation, “Who is Afraid of Justice?” While explaining that there are “more inherent similarities than differences” between the two ideas, he argued for a focus on restorative justice. He encouraged the better development of the concept of “justice” in the field. He raised the concern that a focus on “restorative practices” could diminish the ability  of “restorative justice” to challenge criminal justice practice.

The full seminar report is available online from the Forum.

The matter of broadening the organisational scope will be taken up in the 2010 board meeting. Reports from previous meetings are available on the Forum’s website.