Why Restorative Justice? - Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation

INTRODUCTION
Hard evidence about success in prevention of offending is by
its nature difficult to amass, and requires thorough and long-term
research. However, research studies are ongoing and there are
many encouraging pointers (described in Chapters 4 and 5).
This short book cannot be a complete account of restorative
justice. I have attempted to set down the main principles and practices,
and to demonstrate their value and effectiveness with
accounts of cases from different parts of the world, including the
UK – from Northern Ontario to Northampton, from Texas to
Thames Valley – many of which I have witnessed or filmed. If the
views of users matter, then restorative justice deserves to be taken
seriously, and I am convinced that it deserves a central place in our
criminal justice procedures.
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