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Restorative Justice
Mar. 10th, 2005 05:51 pmYes yes, I know... Long time no writing in journal. Life has been a bit hectic. Giant paper, two projects (one a presentation) and just the general ughs of life.
I decided to take a look at something I heard about in a conversation with my mother today. She didn't really know what the proper term for the concept was, however, I was able to discover it. This thing I'm talking about is called Restorative Justice. I discovered it in part because someone I care about is being affected by it. I have to say that the improvement in the penal system as a result of this new discovery could be great. Imagine a world where instead of chopping off someone's hand for stealing something (okay so that is an extreme example) or maybe to send someone to prison for a first offense... instead, you have a system that incorporates reparations resolved between the offender, the victim, and the community; perhaps through community service. I've gathered bits and pieces of explanations about the budding sociological/psychological changes that I personally hope will continue to occur. Of course, the most useful place for this "new" technique is in the area of youth offenders. People who can be "turned from the dark side" before it's too late and they become recidivist adult offenders who don't, can't, or won't see any other behavioral approach to life other than a life of crime. A lot of people turn to crime out of desperation, in order to survive desperate lives. We don't need to use Retributive Justice to add to their burdens. (Note: I am not sure if Restorative Justice can be used in any way for hardened criminals; rapists, child molesters, sociopaths, psychopaths, etc. I cannot see anything other than locking them up and studying WHY they became what they are in order to prevent it happening to others. I do consider it important to find all of these people's victims, however, because there is a trend for - at least in the case of child molestation - for victims to become offenders.)
"Criminal behaviour emerges as a result of joint failures of the individual and the society of which he or she is part. As a result, society must take some responsibility for crime and at least make an attempt to rehabilitate offenders"
( Read more... )
Comments? Questions? Maybe a bit of discussion perhaps?!
I decided to take a look at something I heard about in a conversation with my mother today. She didn't really know what the proper term for the concept was, however, I was able to discover it. This thing I'm talking about is called Restorative Justice. I discovered it in part because someone I care about is being affected by it. I have to say that the improvement in the penal system as a result of this new discovery could be great. Imagine a world where instead of chopping off someone's hand for stealing something (okay so that is an extreme example) or maybe to send someone to prison for a first offense... instead, you have a system that incorporates reparations resolved between the offender, the victim, and the community; perhaps through community service. I've gathered bits and pieces of explanations about the budding sociological/psychological changes that I personally hope will continue to occur. Of course, the most useful place for this "new" technique is in the area of youth offenders. People who can be "turned from the dark side" before it's too late and they become recidivist adult offenders who don't, can't, or won't see any other behavioral approach to life other than a life of crime. A lot of people turn to crime out of desperation, in order to survive desperate lives. We don't need to use Retributive Justice to add to their burdens. (Note: I am not sure if Restorative Justice can be used in any way for hardened criminals; rapists, child molesters, sociopaths, psychopaths, etc. I cannot see anything other than locking them up and studying WHY they became what they are in order to prevent it happening to others. I do consider it important to find all of these people's victims, however, because there is a trend for - at least in the case of child molestation - for victims to become offenders.)
"Criminal behaviour emerges as a result of joint failures of the individual and the society of which he or she is part. As a result, society must take some responsibility for crime and at least make an attempt to rehabilitate offenders"
( Read more... )
Comments? Questions? Maybe a bit of discussion perhaps?!
