Restorative justice aims to address the consequences of crime by encouraging victims and offenders to communicate and discuss the harm caused by the crime that has been committed. In the majority of cases, restorative justice is facilitated by direct and indirect dialogue between victims and offenders, but it also includes support networks and sometimes involves professionals such as police, lawyers, social workers or prosecutors and judges. In theory, the victim is a core participant in restorative justice and the restoration of the harm is a first concern. In practice, questions arise as to whether the victim is actively involved in the process, what restoration may entail, whether there is a risk of secondary victimisation and whether the victim is truly at the heart of the restorative response, or whether the offender remains the focal point of attention. Using a combination of victimological literature and empirical data from a European research project, this book considers the role and the position of the victim in restorative justice practices, focusing on legislative, organisational and institutional frameworks of victim-offender mediation and conferencing programmes at a national and local level, as well as the victims’ personal needs and experiences. The findings are essential reading for academics and students engaged in the study of justice, victimology and law. The publication will also be valuable to policymakers and professionals such as social workers, lawyers and mediators.

"Although the topics dealt with are complex, the author has been very successful in presenting and exploring them clearly. Students may find particularly helpful the summary at the end of each chapter of the main points covered in that section. The Legal Executive "...the real strength of this book lies in the critical thinking that arises from the juxtaposition of two very much unfinished debates: the question of how victims are treated by the justice system, and the practices and implications of restorative justice. "...I feel this book is particularly important because it reframes a whole series of debates and practices which, otherwise, might be in danger of getting 'stuck'. That this is also undertaken by someone who is extremely knowledgeable about the subject matter and perceptive in relation to key issues is an added bonus." Vista Two of the principal and most influential developments within criminal justice policy - taking in a variety of common law jurisdictions during the past thirty years - have been the rise of the ‘victim movement’ and the emergence of a distinctive set of practices that have become associated with the term ‘restorative justice’. Understanding Victims and Restorative Justice examines the origins of and the relationship between these two sets of developments, and seeks to assess their strengths and weaknesses in meeting the needs of victims as part of the overall response to crime. Written in a lively and accessible style this book is of benefit to students from a range of disciplines including criminology, sociology and the law. Also helpful to professionals, practitioners and policymakers working in voluntary agencies within the criminal justice system.

This comprehensive guide provides an accessible introduction to the philosophy of restorative justice and its practical application in a wide range of settings, showing how it can help both victims and offenders when harm has been done. Drawing on many years' experience of working in victim support, probation, mediation and restorative practices, Marian Liebmann uses pertinent case examples to illustrate how restorative justice can be used effectively to work with crime and its effects. Also included are sections on confronting bullying in schools, dealing with sexual and racial violence, tackling antisocial behaviour and community reconciliation after war. Whether in the context of families, schools, communities, criminal justice or prisons, the author argues that restorative justice is a `seamless philosophy' which can be applied flexibly to meet diverse needs. Liebmann provides an international outlook, examining how restorative justice is practised around the world, including traditional Maori and Aboriginal approaches. Restorative Justice: How It Works is a key reference for magistrates, social workers, probation officers, Youth Offending Team workers, police, teachers and health professionals, as well as the lay reader.

Contributors describe recent developments in restorative justice with respect to young offenders, looking at programs in Australia, Canada, England, New Zealand, South Africa, and the US. They present and explain findings on conferencing, victim-offender mediation, and circles, the three most common restorative justice formats, and discuss issues for the future of restorative justice. A major theme discussed is the potential, through restorative justice, for indigenous communities to have an impact on conventional criminal justice processes. The editors are affiliated with the Institute of Criminology at Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand. Distributed by ISBS. c. Book News Inc.

Discusses the key concepts and principles of restorative justice; explains how the campaign for restorative justice arose and developed into an influential social movement; describes the variety of restorative justice practices; and identifies and examines key issues within the restorative justice movement.

Restorative Justice - The Empowerment Model presents a powerful challenge to many current accounts of the criminal justice system. Charles Barton gives a clear and insightful analysis of current restorative justice philosophy and theory. He uses a unifying and overarching principle of empowerment to provide a distinct conceptual framework for restorative justice theory and practice. He puts forward a step-by-step implementation process, which includes restorative meeting facilitation, complete with seating plans and scripted prompts for mediators, keepers, and facilitators. There will also be two sample role plays in the book and additionally there will be four complete role plays available on our website, closer to publication. Barton emphasises the importance of each participant in a restorative justice meeting - the victims, offenders and their supporters as well as professionals such as police, social workers and legal advocates. Successful programs must consistently and reliably achieve maximally restorative outcomes for all of them. Practitioners need always keep this objective in mind.. Barton's book will strengthen their comprehension and facilitate application of the practical process.

Restorative justice, employed in both ancient and modern societies, is designed to repair the harm that a criminal offense inflicts on victims, offenders, and communities. Today, backlogged court dockets, dissatisfaction with the adversarial process, and overcrowded prisons have incited a necessary discussion of alternatives for dealing with the accused and the convicted. This book examines how restorative justice works - promoting healing by emphasizing the restoration of victims' emotional and material losses, creating forums for negotiation, problem-solving, and dialogue between affected parties, and empowering communities and victims by inviting their participation. Restorative Justice discusses the method's beneficial and detrimental effects on, and implications for, defendants, victims, the courtroom workgroup, corrections and the community.

Restorative justice aims to address the consequences of crime by encouraging victims and offenders to communicate and discuss the harm caused by the crime that has been committed. In the majority of cases, restorative justice is facilitated by direct and indirect dialogue between victims and offenders, but it also includes support networks and sometimes involves professionals such as police, lawyers, social workers or prosecutors and judges. In theory, the victim is a core participant in restorative justice and the restoration of the harm is a first concern. In practice, questions arise as to whether the victim is actively involved in the process, what restoration may entail, whether there is a risk of secondary victimisation and whether the victim is truly at the heart of the restorative response, or whether the offender remains the focal point of attention. Using a combination of victimological literature and empirical data from a European research project, this book considers the role and the position of the victim in restorative justice practices, focusing on legislative, organisational and institutional frameworks of victim-offender mediation and conferencing programmes at a national and local level, as well as the victims’ personal needs and experiences. The findings are essential reading for academics and students engaged in the study of justice, victimology and law. The publication will also be valuable to policymakers and professionals such as social workers, lawyers and mediators.

This text offers an engaging and wide-ranging account of crime and criminology. It provides a clear and comprehensive consideration of the theoretical, practical, and political aspects of the subject, including the influence of physical, biological, psychological, and social factors on criminality.

This book is based on papers originally presented at the 6th International Conference on Restorative Justice in Vancouver. It is concerned with several new areas of practice within restorative justice, with sections on restorative justice and youth, aboriginal justice and restorative justice, victimization and restorative justice, and evaluating restorative justice.