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The U.S. Department of Justice notes ...
- The future will involve victims and community more
directly in the justice process. Restorative justice
principles offer a template to structure that evolution.
- A number of studies of restorative practices (restitution,
mediation, family group conferences, victim impact
panels) indicate that recidivism decreases.
- Giving victims choices at all stages returns a
sense of control to them, and decreases fear. They
(and offenders) rate RJ approaches as fairer than
the criminal justice process, and report greater satisfaction.
- In some research studies (at least one county in
N. Carolina) a reduction in court caseload can be
measured when victim offender mediation is offered.
- With costs of corrections encroaching on other
funding needs, with little to show for it in terms
of citizen satisfaction or lowered recidivism, a more
innovative approach is needed.
- The politically powerful victim movement can be
allies for positive system change.
- All elected officials have some responsibility
to improve the justice system, and RJ offers a common
umbrella under which many disciplines and the community
can work together.
If you are a legislator in San Diego County...
Contact us at Restorative
Justice Mediation Program for help. |
