A study examines the harmful gap between the theory of restorative justice (RJ) and its application in programs in the U.S., Europe, and elsewhere. Data were obtained from four surveys of restorative justice practitioners, using a combination of qualitative methodologies, including questionnaire responses, interviews and focus groups.

Covers scholarly work in criminology and criminal justice studies, sociology of law, and the sociology of deviance.

In the UK and elsewhere, restorative justice and policing are core components of a range of university programmes; however, currently no such text exists on the intersection of these two areas of study. This book draws together these diverse theoretical perspectives to provide an innovative, knowledge-rich text that is essential reading for all those engaged with the evolution and practice of restorative policing. Restorative Policing surveys the twenty-five year history of restorative policing practice, during which its use and influence over criminal justice has slowly grown. It then situates this experience within a criminological discussion about neo-liberal responses to crime control. There has been insufficient debate about how the concepts of ‘restorative justice’ and ‘policing’ sit alongside each other and how they may be connected or disconnected in theoretical and conceptual terms. The book seeks to fill this gap through an exploration of concepts, theory, policy and practice. In doing so, the authors make a case for a more transformative vision of restorative policing that can impact positively upon the shape and practice of policing and outline a framework for the implementation of such a strategy. This pathbreaking book will be of interest to undergraduate and postgraduate students taking courses on restorative justice, policing and crime control, as well as professionals interested in the implementation of restorative practices in the police force.

Restorative Justice: Integrating Theory, Research, and Practice provides students, practitioners, and criminal justice professionals with a comprehensive introduction to restorative justice that combines theoretical foundations, guiding principles, empirical evidence, and real-world implementations of various restorative processes and practices. Through easy-to-navigate chapters, the authors present readers with information concerning how and why restorative practices are implemented within communities in order to expand and enhance conventional approaches to crime prevention, community building, and criminal justice. Though designed for the college classroom, this text is an ideal and accessible introduction for anyone interested in exploring the philosophy, evaluation, and application of restorative justice. In the second edition, the authors have added new boxed features, updated the text to reflect current information and statistics, and expanded chapters relevant to the implementation of restorative practices in justice systems, processes, and movements.

"How many hate or bias incidents occurred on your campus this past year? Did any students opt out of filing formal charges? How many completed a formal resolution process, and what happened? Would you have liked to have other conflict resolution options?" This publication is endorsed by ASCA as a collaborative, collegial new lens through which to consider how social justice practices and student conduct administration can come together to inform best practices in conduct and conflict management on college and university campuses."- Tamara J. King, J.D., 2009 President, Association for Student Conduct AdministrationSocial justice theory provides the lens for expanding our conception of student conduct administration, and the foundation for considering systemic changes in practice changes that are vital to address the concerns and issues raised by an increasingly diverse student population. Using this lens, this book casts new light on existing principles and current practices; makes issues of power, privilege and oppression manifest; and offers a vision for expanding resolution practices to empower today s students to resolve their own conflicts. Complementing the Model Student Disciplinary Code, this book opens up a whole new range of approaches and models that readers can adapt to their institutional circumstances.Starting from the principle that systems and models are vehicles through which to act on our values, and by focusing on such core values as the commitment to student development, freedom of expression, diversity, accessibility, individual rights and shared responsibilities in a community of learners, the contributors reveal the utility and contemporary relevance of a number of underutilized resolution practices. Part I provides a framework for transforming student conduct administration using conflict resolution methods and social and restorative justice practices. Part II devotes a chapter to explaining each of the seven Spectrum Model Pathways to conflict resolution that form the core of this book: Dialogue, Conflict Coaching, Facilitated Dialogue, Mediation, Restorative Justice Practices, Shuttle Diplomacy, and traditional formal student conduct processes informed by social justice theory. Part III provides practical application tools for the ideas presented in this text, including discussion of change management and assessment, and concludes with an overview of programs from across the country using inclusive conflict resolution methods in student conduct work. This is a book for anyone concerned about issues of access and justice for all students regardless of race, sexual orientation, belief, or ability and seeking to develop and implement restorative and safe practices for their campus community."

This up-to-date resource on restorative justice theory and practice is the literature’s most comprehensive and authoritative review of original research in new and contested areas. Bringing together contributors from across a range of jurisdictions, disciplines and legal traditions, this edited collection provides a concise, but critical review of existing theory and practice in restorative justice. Authors identify key developments, theoretical arguments and new empirical evidence, evaluating their merits and demerits, before turning the reader’s attention to further concerns informing and improving the future of restorative justice. Divided into four parts, the Handbook includes papers written by leading scholars on new theory, empirical evidence of implementation, critiques and the future of restorative justice. This companion is essential reading for scholars of restorative justice, criminology, social theory, psychology, law, human rights and criminal justice, as well as researchers, policymakers, practitioners and campaigners from around the world.

The astonishing development of restorative justice practice over the past decade has inspired creative new thinking about the philosophy of punishment and principles of justice. Many of the questions raised in this book – such as the relationship between restorative and retributive justice and the values and processes which should guide restorative practice – are the subject of intense debates. With contributions from many of the most distinguished scholars in the field, this book analyzes the gap between philosophy and practice and the need for practice to be more informed by philosophy. This volume is a milestone in the development of those underlying principles which will direct the progress of restorative justice in the future.