ABSTRACT
Recent years have witnessed the emergence of an increasingly influential international campaign for restorative justice. Proponents of restorative justice suggest that criminal justice should become less focused upon the punishment of offenders and more geared towards committing lawbreakers to repair the harm they have caused. They also suggest that victims, offenders and other ordinary citizens should have the opportunity to play a more active role in the criminal justice process. A basic understanding of restorative justice is now essential for anybody who wishes to participate in the conversation about the future of criminal justice. This chapter looks at what a full-scale shift in the direction of restorative justice might involve, what its benefits might be, and at some concerns which have been expressed about the increasing use of restorative justice.
