| What's in it for Victims? |
- Conferencing provides the victim an opportunity to meet with the person who offended against him/her in a safe environment where the victim can explain what he/she has experienced, hold the offender accountable for his/her actions, ask questions, get answers, and have a direct say in what the offender needs to do to repair the harm caused.
- The perspective and needs of the victim are kept central to the process by both defining the harm resulting from the crime and ensuring the involvement of the victim, if he or she chooses, in the plan to repair the harm.
- The victim always has the choice to participate and determine the extent of his or her involvement.
- Each victim receives the services and resources he/she needs as a result of the crime.
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| What's in it for Offenders? |
- Offenders have the opportunity to learn how their actions have harmed the victim, take responsibility for their behavior, apologize when they are truly sorr, and agree to do whatever is reasonable to repair the harm done.
- The offender is accountable to the victim and community for his or her actions.
- The community and the larger system work with the offender to provide opportunities to accept responsibility for his/her actions, demonstrate his/her desire to regain status in the community and be guided and supported in the effort, and participate in activities which increase empathy with crime victims, build upon the offenders assets and increase their capacity to be a contributing member of the community.
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| What's in it for the Judiciary? |
- Using restorative justice principles as a model for the future, victims and community will be more directly involved in the judicial process.
- A number of studies or restorative practices indicate that recidivism decreases.
- Giving victims choices at all stages returns a sense of control to them, and decreases fear. They (and offenders) rate RJ approaches a fairer than the criminal justice process, and report greater satisfaction.
- In some research studies a reduction in court case load can be measured when victim offender mediation is offered.
- More options generally will enhance the pleas negotiation process thereby keeping the case out of court.
- The politically powerful victim movement can be allies for positive system change.
- All justice professionals have some responsibility to improve the system, and RJ offers a common umbrella under which many Disciplines and the community can work together.
- Restitution agreements are reached and met more fully with RJ approaches.
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