Introduction

This book is about restorative justice – a concept which has no single meaning (McCold 1998; Johnstone and Van Ness 2007), or a single practical application, yet which has attracted many sympathizers across the political spectrum and is rapidly gaining popularity. Some penal reformers see restorative justice as a promising way to redress problems within the existing criminal justice system1. Religious leaders, who pioneered the concept, are attracted to restorative justice as a humane and morally superior way of responding to crime (Zehr 1990; Consedine 1999; Hadley 2001, 2006). Conservative advocates find restorative justice appealing because it emphasizes family values and the interests of victims and promises cost savings and reduction of re-offending. Liberal thinkers view restorative justice as an individually empowering and less repressive response to crime. Some campaigners for social justice see restorative justice as having potential to create a more just society (Morris 1995, 2000; Sullivan and Tifft 2001, 2006).