One of the biggest obstacles a policy-maker would face in promoting/implementing a restorative justice policy approach

restorative Justice: A Social Movement
Module 8: Victims and Restorative Justice: Toward a Companion
In this module, we will provide a comparative analysis of restorative justice programs and practices across Europe. Criminal policies differ among the various European countries, and adoption of victim-oriented policies began to shift from the earlier offender-oriented retributive policies to restorative justice practices in the early 1980s. Countries with strong organizations toward victim support have poorly developed restorative justice procedures, in large part because their system is already more victim-centered and the needs of the victim are being addressed.
The first implemented restorative justice practices were in the realm of juvenile justice and have expanded into other areas over time.
Next, the experience of the victim in victim-offender mediation will be addressed. Generally, victims across countries were satisfied with all aspects of the mediation process. Two factors were found to likely be indicative of a higher likelihood of feeling satisfaction with the process—these will be discussed on Page 2 of the module.
So, what have victims said about their experience as participants in victim-offender mediation? Generally, victims across countries were satisfied with all aspects: location of mediation, the mediator, and the mediation process. Determining the satisfaction of the offender’s apology to the victim has also been examined. Generally, victims believed the apology from the offender to be sincere. The exception to this depends on the means by which the offender engages in the process. When the offer to participate in mediation is tethered to some criminal justice procedure (i.e., a reduction in offender’s sentence or reduction in charge), the victim is less likely to believe the apology to be sincere.
Learning Outcomes
1. Compare restorative justice program outcomes.
2. Evaluate victims’ experiences in the programs.
3. Examine victim-offender mediation—victim experiences.
4. Assess meaning of the outcomes.
For Your Success & Readings
Well, you made it to Week 8. For the last week, here are some tips to help you cross the finish line.
• recommendation(s) to improve the policy.
Required
• Chapter 8 in Victims and Restorative Justice
Recommended
• Murphy, S., & Priz, S. (2017). Restorative justice in Chicago and abroad: Comparing the work of the community of Saint’Edigio to the restorative justice in the United States. The John Marshall Law Review, 50(3), 511-553.
• Wood, W. R., & Suzuki, M. (2016). Four challenges in the future of restorative justice. Victims & Offenders, 11(1), 149-17.
Next
References
Baliga, S., Henry, S., & Valentine. (2017). Restorative community conferencing: A study of Community Works West’s restorative justice youth diversion program in Alameda County. Retrieved from http://impactjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/CWW-Report_Final_6.14.17_electronic.pdf
Foussard, C., Duroy, S., & Seychell, A. (2013). European comparison on juvenile restorative justice practices. International Juvenile Justice Observatory. Retrieved from http://www.oijj.org/sites/default/files/revij_european_comparison_oijj.pdf
Miguel A., Verde S., Berger, R., Yepes-Baldó, M., Garcia Ortiz, V., & Lovelle, I. (2014). Factors influencing participant’s satisfaction in a victim-offender program. Procedia Social and Behavioral Sciences, 159, 1 5. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877042814064489
Vanfraechem, I. (2015). Victims and restorative justice. London, UK: Routledge, Taylor, and Francis.
Lest start here:
The first implemented restorative justice practices were in the realm of juvenile justice and have expanded into other areas over time. A discussion one-page refernces here is question
Module 8: Discussion Forum
Outline two of the biggest obstacles a policy-maker would face in promoting/implementing a restorative justice policy approach in the United States.
Be sure to support your statements with logic and argument