Punish Criminals: Don't Settle for Imprisonment!
Crime has far-reaching consequences that go beyond breaking the law or hurting a victim. It causes harm to relationships and the community, leaving them feeling unsafe and uncertain. Restorative justice is an effective way to address these issues, by allowing the people most affected by the crime to participate in the resolution and providing a sense of justice.
In this article, Commonwealth Correspondent Sana Hussein explores how restorative justice works, and why it does more good for all involved than imprisoning the perpetrator.
Introduction to Restorative Justice
Restorative justice is based on the principle that the people most affected by the crime should be able to participate in the resolution. It also requires that communities provide offenders with the chance to repair the harm caused, and that the state sets the legal framework and funds restorative programs.
In addition to expecting robust responses to crimes, communities have an important role in ensuring that restorative justice processes are readily available, supported and funded. This may involve allowing the offender to carry out reparative actions such as unpaid work at local charitable organizations or performing community service for a set number of hours.
The state also has a critical role to play in the administration of justice and the restoration of the damage done as a result of criminal acts. As an enabler, the state sets the legal framework for restorative justice structures, funds restorative programs and provides the facilities for community conferences. This allows the state to acquire influence over the programs and their outcomes.
Benefits of Restorative Justice
Imprisoning the perpetrator may not always be the best form of punishment, as it does not address the needs of the victims and affected communities. Restorative justice, however, is beneficial for all involved, as it provides a sense of justice and assurance that the offender will be punished.
It is also easy for us to settle for imprisonment, however, forcing the perpetrator to suffer does not by any means mitigate the victim’s distress. Through restorative justice, we can repair the damage caused by crime, and provide the victims and community with a sense of safety.
Conclusion
Restorative justice is an effective way to address the issues that arise from crime. It is beneficial for all involved, as it allows the victims and community to participate in the resolution and provides a sense of justice. Additionally, it encourages offenders to repair the harm caused, and provides the victims and community with a sense of safety.
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