What is restorative justice? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of restorative justice

restorative justicenoun
công lý phục hồi
/rɪˌstɒrətɪv ˈdʒʌstɪs//rɪˌstɔːrətɪv ˈdʒʌstɪs/

Where does the word restorative justice come from?

The term "restorative justice" emerged in the late 1970s as a response to the criticisms of the traditional Western criminal justice system, which primarily focuses on punishment and retribution. It draws from indigenous and restorative practices, such as Maori peacemaking in New Zealand and traditional African community forgiveness processes, that have long-standing histories of prioritizing healing, reparation, and reintegration over solely punitive measures. The concept gained significant recognition during the 1990s, particularly in Australia and New Zealand, as an alternative criminal justice model that aims to repair harm caused to victims, offenders, and communities, thereby enhancing accountability, responsibility, and dialogue. The United Nations adopted "restorative justice" as part of their crime prevention and criminal justice programs in 2002, further underscoring its growing international relevance. In sum, restorative justice represents a shift towards a more victim- and community-centered criminal justice system, emphasizing reparation and healing over punishment alone.

Example of vocabulary restorative justicenamespace

In an effort to promote restorative justice, the school implemented a program that brought together the victim, the offender, and family members to discuss the harm caused and find a resolution that satisfied everyone involved.
After serving his time in prison, the prisoner was released and enrolled in a restorative justice program designed to help him reintegrate into society and make amends for his actions.
The restorative justice approach has been shown to reduce recidivism rates by providing offenders with the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions, make amends, and learn valuable skills that will help them succeed in life.
The restorative justice process allows victims to have a voice in the justice system, providing them with closure and a sense of healing.
In a restorative justice conference, all parties involved in a criminal offense can come together to discuss the harm caused and work together to find a solution that suits everyone.