Restorative justice brings these three key parties together to amend wrongs, to make the offender understand and want to respond positively to his offense. It is way of repairing the damage caused by the offender, through financial reimbursement to the victim(s) or the victim’s family or community and public service to give back to the community what he or she has taken away.

According to RestorativeJustice.org, there are three principles that form the foundation for restorative justice, including:

Victim-offender mediation, or VOM, provides the opportunity for a victim to meet his offender in a safe setting, usually engaging in a discussion regarding the crime with the help of a mediator. Some offenders may volunteer for victim-offender mediation in order to avoid a more difficult outcome. It is thought that offenders who go through this process are less likely to be a repeat offender than those who go through the normal court process as well as reducing fear among victims.

quires that we work to restore those who have been injured.”

Peacemaking or sentencing circles are an appropriate plan to bring justice to all the parties involved is determined. The goals of circles are mainly to promote healing in all affected parties and allowing the community to come together to stand behind a victim, focusing mainly on emotions and feelings. It is, again, similar to VOM and conferencing in that it allows the victim and the offender to come together to discuss the crime at hand, but allows the community a voice in the decision making process.

There are typically seven programs involved in restorative justice, which include, but are not limited to, victim-offender mediation, conferencing, circles, victim assistance, ex-offender assistance, restitution and community service.

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