news

Summary

Van Ness, Daniel W (1989). "Restorative Justice." In: B. Galaway, and J. Hudson (eds.), Criminal Justice, Restitution, and Reconciliation. Monsey, NY: Criminal Justice Press, pp. 7-14.

This essay presents restorative justice as a response to crime that enables victims, offenders and the community to collaborate with government in repairing the injuries resulting from crime. The elements of restorative justice include a definition of crime as injury, action to repair injuries, and a commitment to involve all parties in the response to crime. A two-track justice process is considered: a formal process administered by government, and an informal community-based process. The purpose of the formal process is to ensure that restraint, accountability and reparation are secured; the purpose of the second process would be to move beyond restitution to restoration.