Gerry Johnstone. Devon, UK: Willan Publishing. ISBN 1-903240-42-5 Paperback £16.99 / US $27.50.

Reviewed by Lynette Parker

 
Restorative Justice: Ideas, Values, Debates, provides a concise but informative introduction to the fundamental ideas of restorative justice and the many arguments surrounding the movement. Although not a detailed history or explanation of theory, the book offers an informative and clear look at the restorative justice movement, its opposing arguments, and its possibilities for the future.            

In the first three chapters, Gerry Johnstone surveys the history, roots, theories and disputes surrounding restorative justice. Characterizing restorative justice as a fundamental change in the way crime and those affected by it are viewed, he suggests there are limits to concentrating on the outputs often addressed in studies (i.e. recidivism, victim satisfaction).  He sees testing the logic of claims of such outcomes  as important to the development of restorative justice theory and practice.  Also, many of the claims made by proponents of restorative justice are complex issues that are difficult to evaluate conclusively.  For this reason, advocates must more fully address criticisms and dangers often cited by opponents. Particular attention needs to be paid to the

•  Lack of close knit communities
  

•  Need to protect the civil rights of offenders
  

• Need to address power disparities.

From this general overview, Johnstone moves on to more specific issues. He traces the needs of victims, different phases of victimization, and the promise of restorative justice. He goes on to discuss the debates between the two movements. These include:

• the purpose of restitution,
  

• the need to balance victim’s needs with those of society,  

• the perceived paternalism toward victims on the part of restorative justice advocates.   

Chapter five provides the same treatment to the needs of offenders. Johnstone outlines the critique of the current justice system that is seen as concentrating on the legal definition of the harm, providing a way for offenders to escape the human consequences of their deeds, and focusing on the offender. He then explains the promise of restorative justice for changing attitudes and providing offenders the means to be reintegrated into society.  

Johnstone rounds out his survey of restorative justice issues by addressing  

• the theory of reintegrative shaming and its use in police cautioning,  

• victim offender mediation and the role of the community,  

• and the possible future of restorative justice.  

He outlines three possible tracks as well as the promises and dangers inherent to each. Johnstone moves on to point out research needs such as understanding how implementing restorative justice may alter patters of crime control. In all, Johnstone provides a clear picture of the restorative justice movement, its major issues and themes, its possibilities and future needs.  

    

January 2002