Full title in original language:
Why Restorative Justice Will Not Reduce Incarceration
Education level:
University University (18+ years)Topic / subtopic:
Crime prevention and criminal justice Restorative justice Criminal justice systemTarget audience:
Students,
Teachers / Lecturers
Type of resource:
Publication / Article
Languages:
English
Region of relevance:
Global
Access:
restricted access: requiring payment
Individual authors:
William R. Wood
Publication year:
2015
Published by:
Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (ISTD)
Copyright holder:
© William R. Wood
Contact name and address:
Centre for Crime and Justice Studies (ISTD)
Contact email:
info@crimeandjustice.org.uk
Key themes:
cpcj, criminal justice, justice, crime, restorative justice, incarceration, prison
Links:
Short description:
Restorative justice goals are frequently articulated on micro, meso and macro levels. One macro-level goal frequently made by advocates is that restorative justice may serve as a viable means of reducing incarceration. Focusing on Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, this article argues that while these countries have seen some of the largest increases in incarceration within western industrialized countries, as well as the most widespread use of restorative justice, there is little evidence that restorative justice has reduced prison populations. It also argues that as currently practiced there is little reason to assume that restorative justice will have a significant impact on incarceration in the near future. Attention is given to the problem of the ‘transformation assumption’ inherent in restorative justice that micro-level changes in offender behaviours or restorative outcomes can significantly affect the larger social structures of punishment and incarceration.