What is the focus of the restorative justice model?

The restorative justice model centers on repairing harm caused by crime and fostering reconciliation between offenders and victims. This approach emphasizes the importance of understanding the impact of the crime on all parties involved and encourages a collaborative dialogue aimed at healing and restoration. Rather than focusing solely on punishment, restorative justice seeks outcomes that benefit both the victim and the offender. It allows victims to express their feelings and obtain closure, while also holding offenders accountable in a way that promotes their reintegration into the community.

Other options prioritize punitive measures or specific goals, such as simply recovering lost property or preventing crime, which do not encompass the holistic and relational aspects that restorative justice seeks to address. This model envisions justice as a communal process involving healing and rebuilding relationships, rather than merely administering punishment.