Restorative Justice: Reflections and the Retributive Impulse

Abstract

This chapter reviews the literature surrounding restorative justice as a response to crime. It offers a thorough introduction to the theoretical foundations and empirical realities associated with restorative procedures. The chapter provides a wide-ranging review of what is currently known about restorative interventions in the psychological literature and what remains unclear. It begins with an in-depth introduction to restorative justice, comparing it with the formal criminal justice system in terms of philosophical foundations, structural applications, and outcomes. The chapter moves to a review of recent empirical evidence. It reflects on the findings of program evaluations (in particular, those related to stakeholders' perceptions and recidivism reduction), evaluating the empirical support for reintegrative shaming and procedural justice as central theoretical explanations for the effects seen in restorative justice. The chapter summarizes what is well-known about restorative justice in the psychological literature, highlighting the importance of continuing to better understand factors driving the effectiveness of restorative interventions. Finally, it emphasizes the need to investigate public perceptions of appropriate justice; the chapter argues these are keys to identifying the conditions under which restorative interventions will be evaluated as an acceptable justice response and, therefore, they will greatly affect the long-term viability of restorative justice. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)