TY - JOUR
T1 - Imagining Restorative Justice beyond Recidivism
AU - Presser, Lois
AU - Gaarder, Emily
AU - Hesselton, Denise
PY - 2007/12
Y1 - 2007/12
N2 - Recidivism reduction is an important objective of restorative justice programs. However, too much attention to recidivism may marginalize basic goals of restorative justice-particularly that of healing harms. In this paper we speculate on the prospects for restorative justice if recidivism rates of participating offenders were not monitored. We foresee both positive and negative consequences. Neglecting recidivism may undermine relationships between restorative justice programs and government agencies, insofar as the latter are chiefly concerned with offender management. Restorative justice also needs support from a public that wants "results." Yet, a restorative justice untethered to the recidivism project could deliver the balanced approach it promises, attending to the needs of victim, offender, and community. We conclude that current arrangements, including institutions and attitudes, sustain restorative justice but also constrain what it can be.
AB - Recidivism reduction is an important objective of restorative justice programs. However, too much attention to recidivism may marginalize basic goals of restorative justice-particularly that of healing harms. In this paper we speculate on the prospects for restorative justice if recidivism rates of participating offenders were not monitored. We foresee both positive and negative consequences. Neglecting recidivism may undermine relationships between restorative justice programs and government agencies, insofar as the latter are chiefly concerned with offender management. Restorative justice also needs support from a public that wants "results." Yet, a restorative justice untethered to the recidivism project could deliver the balanced approach it promises, attending to the needs of victim, offender, and community. We conclude that current arrangements, including institutions and attitudes, sustain restorative justice but also constrain what it can be.
KW - Restorative justice
KW - program evaluation
KW - recidivism
KW - rehabilitation
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84860792262&partnerID=8YFLogxK
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U2 - 10.1080/10509670802071600
DO - 10.1080/10509670802071600
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84860792262
SN - 1050-9674
VL - 46
SP - 163
EP - 176
JO - Journal of Offender Rehabilitation
JF - Journal of Offender Rehabilitation
IS - 1-2
ER -