Punishment And Restorative Crime Handling

In Criminal Punishment and Restorative Justice author David J. Cornwell draws on bedrock issues in contemporary criminology and penology in order to contrast punitive and restorative responses to crime. He then looks at the forces that serve to constrain more emphatic adoption of restorative methods and - against a backdrop of increasing worldwide reliance on custody, 'touch solutions' and punitive thinking - examines the claims of restorative justice to mainstream adoption by governments. The book also provides an international perspective on the needs of victims and offenders alike and assesses how the worldwide trend towards punitive methods can be reversed by challenging offenders to take responsibility for their offences and to make practical reparation for the harm that they have caused. Such developments, the author argues, would serve to make 'corrections' more effective, civilised, humane, pragmatic, 'non-fanciful' and less driven by the often ill-considered politics of the moment.

This study focuses on the practice of punishment, as it is inflicted by the state. The author's first-hand experience with penal reform, combined with philosophical reflection, has led him to develop a theory of punishment that identifies the principles of sentencing and corrections on which modern correctional systems should be built. This new theory of punishment is built on the view that the central function of the law is to reduce the need to use force in the resolution of disputes. Professor Cragg argues that the proper role of sentencing and sentence administration is to sustain public confidence in the capacity of the law to fulfil that function. Sentencing and corrections should therefore be guided by principles of restorative justice. He points out that, although punishment may be an inevitable concomitant of law enforcement in general and sentencing in particular, inflicting punishment is not a legitimate objective of criminal justice. The strength and appeal of this account is that it moves well beyond the boundaries of conventional discussions. It examines punishment within the framework of policing and adjudication, analyses the relationship between punishment and sentencing, and provides a basis for evaluating correctional practices and such developments as electronic monitoring.

Martin Wrightís original ground-breaking and influential analysis of the defects of the adversarial system of justice, plus the arguments in favour of a more constructive and victim-oriented approach. A book that has had a major influence on victimsí issues and restorative justice - and that is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand these developments. One of the most compelling arguments about the need for change in relation to victims and offenders. A critically acclaimed and key work in the annals of criminal justice.

The present handbook offers, in a quick reference format, an overview of key considerations in the implementation of participatory responses to crime based on a restorative justice approach. Its focus is on a range of measures and programmes, inspired by restorative justice values, that are flexible in their adaptation to criminal justice systems and that complement them while taking into account varying legal, social and cultural circumstances. It was prepared for the use of criminal justice officials, non-governmental organizations and community groups who are working together to improve current responses to crime and conflict in their community

Restorative justice has developed rapidly from being a barely known term to occupying a central role in debates on the future of criminal justice. But as it has become part of the mainstream of debate, so new tensions and issues have emerged. One of the most crucial issues is to find an appropriate combination of restorative justice, based essentially on informal deliberation, and the law. The purpose of this book is to analyse the several dimensions to this issue. It explores the social and ethical foundations of restorative justice, seeks to position it in relation to both rehabilitation and punishment, and examines the possibility of developing and incorporating restorative justice as the mainstream response to crime in terms of the principles of constitutional democracy. Amongst the questions it addresses are the following: How are informal processes to be juxtaposed with formal procedures? What is the appropriate relationship between voluntarism and coercion? How can the procedures and practices of restorative justice be combined with legal standards, safeguards and precepts? How can one balance restorative responses with legally sanctioned punishment? In this book a distinguished team of contributors consider this crucial set of relationships between restorative justice and the law, building upon papers and discussions at the fifth international restorative justice conference in Leuven, Belgium, in September 2001. restorative justice has grown rapidly throughout the worldthis book addresses the central issue of relationship of restorative justice to existing law and legal systemschapters from world leading authorities

Can restorative justice be applied to a full range of offenses? Ross London answers with an unequivocal "Yes." London proposes that, by focusing on the restoration of personal and social trust, restoration may become acknowledged as the overarching goal of all criminal justice policies and practices. While supporting the use of restorative justice as a non-punitive alternative for appropriate cases, London argues that deserved punishment for serious offenses--far from contradicting the goal of restoration--may be instrumental for the emotional recovery of crime victims, the security of communities, and for the successful reintegration of offenders. Moreover, this approach responsibly minimizes resort to punishment by maximizing all of the many other means of restoring trust. Drawing on his experience as a judge, prosecutor, and public defender, London offers a pragmatic vision of restorative justice that integrates its core values with real-world applications for even the most serious violent crimes.

London proposes that restoration, and especially the restoration of trust, be viewed as the overarching goal of all criminal justice policies and practices.