Source: (2010) The Futurist. 44(4):16-21.
Adversarial justice programs often see targeting at-risk youth early to “get them off the streets” as a reasonable method of addressing public safety. Restorative justice addresses the issue more comprehensively by holding that real justice requires restoring victim, community, and offender when a crime occurs. Thus, in most restorative programs, the at-risk youth who breaks the law is required to take responsibility for his or her actions by compensating the victim, serving the community, and completing a self-improvement program, thus preparing for a law-abiding lifestyle in the future. In many communities, restorative juvenile arbitration, youth jury, and/or mediation programs have supplemented and even replaced the traditional, more adversarial Juvenile Court. (excerpt)
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