What are some examples of restorative justice programs?
All restorative justice programs have some common elements. They seek healing, forgiveness and active community involvement. The programs can take place at different times after a crime has occurred – sometimes after charges have been laid; sometimes after an accused has been found guilty of an offence. Some examples of restorative justice programs include: • victim offender mediation; • family group conferencing; • sentencing circles; • consensus-based decision-making on the sentence; and • victim offender reconciliation panels. Good restorative justice programs have well-trained facilitators who are sensitive to the needs of victims and offenders, who know the community in which the crime took place and who understand the dynamics of the criminal justice system. How do victims of crime benefit from restorative justice programs? The restorative justice process provides victims with the opportunity to express their feelings about the harm that has been done to them and to contribute th
