Approximately 2 million people are currently incarcerated in the United States. The general public perception may be that crime victims prefer incarceration as a means of holding those who commit crimes accountable. However, not all victims of crimes are advocates for mass incarceration. Many would prefer that those who caused harm are held accountable through a process commonly referred to as restorative justice.1 Restorative justice is a victim-centered approach to addressing crime and conflict. It offers both the victim and the person who caused harm an opportunity to heal through conversations about what happened, how both parties were affected, and the steps needed to resolve the matter and prevent it from happening again.2
Research has shown that long and harsh prison sentences do not deter crime. Often, they cause more harm by limiting access to rehabilitation and disconnecting individuals from their communities. Restorative justice offers an alternative path, one where those who have caused harm take accountability and survivors can heal on their own terms.
In this module, we will explore the impact that restorative justice can have on victims and incarcerated individuals, the different types of restorative justice, and examples of programs that are making an impact.
