Restorative Justice

Restorative justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behaviour. It is best accomplished through cooperative processes that include all stakeholders. It focuses on repairing the damage caused by crime and invites victims, offenders and communities to help decide how to do this. Find out more from the PFI Centre for Justice & Reconciliation.

Restorative Justice can be described as "responsible justice" because it promotes:

• Offenders taking responsibility for their actions
• Offenders and society taking responsibility for helping victims recover
• Governments taking responsibility for the outcomes of their sanctions against offenders

It could also be described as "responsive justice" because it takes seriously:

• The victims' needs
• The community's need for peace and well-being
• The offenders' needs in dealing with their addictions, attitudes, circumstances, as well as their guilt and remorse