Retributive justice focuses on punishment, whereas the new paradigm of Restorative justice accents accountability, healing and closure. This is accomplished through face-to-face contact between offender and victim. This relies on an old and widely used practice used today. Known as victim-offender mediation. Developing a restitution plan, allowing the offender to hear the total impact the act had upon the victim, and sometimes the community, allows the healing process to begin (Umbreit 1996).

Many Restorative justice programs recognize the need for an offender to admit his or her guilt before moving on in the process of restoration.

Once, the guilt has been established, a

Agreements that were reached by both parties and deemed fair are negotiated in nine of ten cases that entered mediation. A number of programs report successful completion of restitution, ranging from 79 to 98

Family Group Conference as part of the corrections process may refer the case hears the court. Offenders and victims meet with volunteer mediators to

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