What Are The Strengths And Weaknesses Of Restorative Justice

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Restorative justice is a new and emerging way of justice that is becoming popular in countries around the world because of its positive effects of empowerment within community and economically practical costs against the tremendously expensive traditional retributive justice system, which is constantly being questioned for its’ effectiveness. Although, there are strengths and weakness in both approaches, they differ in terms of their core principles. Restorative justice’s strengths outweigh its’ weaknesses and the positives of retributive justice but are influenced by the media’s views which consequently has an immense weight on society’s response and creation of assumptions towards a justice system requiring the involvement of the community.

Restorative justice and retributive justice have major differences
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For example, if a man commits a robbery under the heavy influence of drugs or alcohol to get money to buy more drugs or alcohol, the media can shape the headline to be in favour of retributive justice by stating, “Intoxicated addict commits robbery in pursuit of more drugs is in need of strict prison sentence to further decrease rates of robbery”. In comparison, the media could have said “Intoxicated addicted commits robbery in pursuit of of more drugs is in need of rehabilitation and community service” which supports restorative justice.

The traditional retributive justice system needs to implement restorative justice because it’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses as well as the strengths of retributive justice. Restorative justice empowers the community by unifying them against the problem as a facilitator with direct involvement. This new approach addresses the needs of the of victims and offenders by making them equal participants and creates opportunities for them to state their concerns as well as acknowledge the harm that has been done.