Does Restorative Justice mean offenders get a lighter sentence?

In the vast majority of cases, Restorative Justice only occurs after a sentence has been given. Restorative Justice happens when the offender is still in prison (although not always). That means Restorative Justice is not a ‘soft option’ for offenders.

Restorative Justice does have some really key benefits for offenders, though.

Firstly, Restorative Justice has been proven to reduce re-offending rates by 14%. That means that an offender is less likely to commit another crime by taking part in a Restorative Justice conference. It also allows offenders to take responsibility for their actions and even make amends where appropriate. 

Restorative Justice can help offenders put the crime behind them and move on with their lives. Leaving prison can be very difficult for offenders, especially if they’re returning to a close-knit community. For example, in cases where the offender and the victim live close by, a Restorative Justice conference can make it much more comfortable for the victim and the offender when the offender returns to the community.

So, while Restorative Justice isn't a 'soft option' for offenders by giving them a lighter sentence, it still does come with a whole host of benefits that have no impact on their sentence.

Click here to find out more about Restorative Justice.