discussion 14

In my opinion, one of the most important core values of restorative justice is “victims and community are central to justice processes” (Siegel & Welsh, 2017, p. 392). Victims’ traditional roles of “witnesses” or “complainants” are expanded by their additional roles as active participants of the criminal justice process (NCJRS.gov, 1999). Also, community members concerned about their justice and safety could actively participate in restorative justice processes too. Respect is the most important restorative principle concerning the victim status. Furthermore, information, input, notification, restitution, and protection are the most significant victims' rights in restorative justice processes (NCJRS.gov, 1999). However, I think that restitution is the top priority aspect of restorative justice, which could really help the victim and community to restore harm done by some types of criminal acts and promote further wellbeing. 

“The first priority of justice processes is to assist victims” refers to next significant core values characteristics of restorative justice (Siegel & Welsh, 2017, p. 392). According to the Restorative Justice Organization (2020), victims’ assistance focuses on helping with legal representation, physical and psychological needs and providing appropriate opportunities to successfully reintegration into society (RestorativeJustice.org). For victims of crime, physical and psychological trauma could negatively influence their employment, family relationships, and everyday life. Sometimes they can not perform regular tasks and deal with responsibilities. Thus, special material and psychological assistance is a key element in restorative justice. Moreover, different organizations and programs could meet specific victims’ needs, such as replacing broken doors after burglary, dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or other mental health issues (RestorativeJustice.org, 2020). 

Next important core value of restorative justice concerns offenders. Siegel & Welsh (2017) suggest that “the offender will develop improved competency and understanding as a result of restorative justice experience” (p. 392). So, competency can be described as the capacity to do something well that others value (Guide for Implementing the Balanced and Restorative Justice Model, 1995). In reference to juvenile offenders, it means that youths should be responsible, caring, competent individuals, who demonstrate prosocial behavioral patterns and avoid criminalization. Moreover, restorative justice perspectives provide numerous opportunities for  young offenders to contribute to the well-being of others, to form close relationships, to make meaningful choices, to develop transferable skills, and even to mentor others (Guide for Implementing the Balanced and Restorative Justice Model, 1995). Such techniques could benefit not only the community and victim, but juvenile offenders too. Increased capacity of young offenders would advance productivity to their communities, accelerate their reintegration, increase social bonding and involvement in community, develop educational, occupational, social, and decision making abilities, improve self-image and public image of them (Guide for Implementing the Balanced and Restorative Justice Model, 1995). 

In my personal opinion, the most powerful restorative effect on delinquent juveniles could be reached by their improvement of competency and understanding. I truly believe that youths could be rehabilitated and changed, but harsh punishments do not play a significant role in this process. According to basic principals, aspects and values of restorative justice, “deep” fundamental, comprehensive, and complex approach should be used in order to improve juveniles competency and understanding. Moreover, this is the most influential aspect of prevention and intervention youths’ wrongdoings. They just need to understand all negative consequences of their delinquent behavior, “learn” prosocial models of behavior and “legal” alternatives, complete additional skills training and rehabilitative programs, and then juvenile offenders could be returned to society, where they can live their law-abiding lives. (Word count 633).