What is Restorative Justice and Why it Should be Used Now

Restorative justice is a natural, proven form of justice that seeks to restore victims and offenders to whole, contributing members of society. It emphasizes preventing additional harm and repairing the harm caused or revealed by criminal behavior. It is best accomplished through cooperative processes that include all stakeholders.

From “Restorative Justice web site at http://www.restorativejustice.org”

Restorative justice is the right and proper thing to do.

The U.S. officials and their agents have violated and continue to violate the rights of many individuals.

Currently, U.S. officials are continuing to illegally detain innocent individuals that the U.S. and its agents have abused and/or tortured, because certain U.S. officials believe that these individual are threats to the U.S. and may commit terrorist acts if released.

If victims of crimes by U.S. officials participate in a restorative justice process and receive justice and sincere counseling, they are unlikely to be threats to the U.S. or turn to terrorism once released.

Normally restorative justice is utilized after a perpetrator is found guilty. By applying restorative justice techniques after an arrest or summons is initiated and before a grand jury is impaneled, the need for lengthy indictments and trials could be reduced. This would allow contrite perpetrators who make amends, and victims who are willing to forgive, get on with their lives sooner.

Another reason that we need to use restorative justice is because there are so many people in our prisons that should be applied to.

This restorative justice approach should not in anyway detract from the severity of crimes committed or excuse or exonerate anyone who has committed a serious crime.

For additional information about Restorative Justice go to the Restorative Justice web sites at http://www.restorativejustice.org and the Prison Fellowship International web site at http://www.pfi.org/