Forensic Psychology Term Paper
The topic of this thesis is, from crime to healing: one former offender’s experience of restorative justice. The intention of the study was building an understanding of how the involving the process of restorative justice can lead to changes in the life of an offender. The focus of the research study was the main problem that the researcher stated as being the lack of investigation on the firsthand experiences of individuals participating in the restorative process specifically the offenders. Efficient utilization of the process of restorative justice helps in repairing the harm which is caused by engagement in crime.
In this particular study, the researcher adopted a case study method combined with a narrative approach to data collection. The utilization of these two was to examine one former offender’s first-hand experience in the process of restorative justice. The findings that are presented in the study have been based on the interviews that were conducted with a former offender in addition to interviews with the facilitator of this individual restorative justice process. The interview with the facilitator was meant to provide more insight into the experiences of the offender. A combination of the two interviews outcomes ensured that a firm and definite conclusion was made regarding the impact of restorative justice. The result of the research suggested that there were significant improvements in the life of the offender after engagement in the process of restorative justice. There were four themes which were identified based on the experiences of the offender with the process and included psychological processes, relationships, goal development, and connection. The study was done with some assumptions as well as limitations which did not have a negative effect on the results. Important to note also is that the results of this research cannot be generalized considering that it was conducted using a qualitative method format. The contribution that this study wanted to make was aid counseling and justice professionals in learning more about the process of restorative justice and how it can be used to change the lives of offenders. Nevertheless, in future, there is need to conduct research and involve more participants and the inclusion of victim’s experiences. Finally, the study reflects the role of the researcher in this case study.
First, I argue that restorative justice focuses on harm compared to any other form of justice. When a wrong or injury is committed, it results in obligations which can be equated to accountability versus punishment. The restorative justice helps in repairing the harm which is caused by engagement in crime. The process of restorative justice helps in promoting involvement and participation with the hope of putting this right (Marty, 2000). This process of justice ensures that the harm which was committed by the offender has been addressed, the cause of the damage has also been eliminated, and finally the process of restorative justice balances the concerns of all involved. One of the significant aspects of restorative justice is the ability to provide the offender with an opportunity to follow specific measures which in their opinion would repair the harm that they caused in the first place. This process is personalized meaning that the offender is taken to task to be accountable and have a deep understanding of the harm that they caused and make an attempt to mend the harm without being coerced. Also, using the process of restorative justice, offenders are encouraged to develop a plan which suits them to repair the damage in a manner which connects them with the society, others, and themselves rather than being isolated which is more often a characteristic of the traditional justice sentencing. Therefore, restorative justice is not primarily forgiveness and reconciliation or only targeted at reducing recidivism or repeat offenses (Morris, 2002). This process is more of ensuring that the harm which was done has been addressed in such a manner that it is avoided in the future. For instance, if an offender was involved in the destruction of property when drunk, the process of restorative justice can help in helping the individual reduce or completely stop consuming alcohol. Moreover, the offender can learn from community members such as carpenters on how to repair furniture destroyed. In this case, the cause of the harm is addressed and the harm which was property destruction repaired. While not every property can be repaired efforts to do so by the offender can make everyone satisfied.
The second argument in favour of the thesis that restorative justice helps in repairing the harm which is caused by engagement in crime is based on the values and principles of this process. First, this process embraces respect. While harm caused can be material it is accompanied by other problems such as stress or depression which can be immaterial. Repairing of the immaterial harm is relative and dependent on the actions of the offender. Through restorative justice, an offender has an opportunity to show respect as the process recognizes the reasons for perspectives as well as their integrity. Conflict and crime is often a tear in the social framework. The concept of justice entails healing and restoring the health of communities and individuals by having a reasonable accountability plan which repairs the harm extensively (Johnstone, & Van Ness, 2007). There is no justice if there is no opportunity to repair or heal. In addition to this, the concept of justice offers to share of responsibility between members of the community. People get to recognize that their actions, attitudes, and thoughts affect others. Another value that this process offers is reintegration where victims receive the resources and services needed after harm has been caused. Finally, this process offers the value of restoration in that each part is provided the necessary support and is part of the restorative plan of action in a bid to repair the harm. Importantly, this process offers a chance for self-reflection on the part of the offender which is a necessary skill that guides individuals how they behave in the future. In the case of John who has been interviewed in the study, he and his family had few resources which made life a struggle which made him commit the crime. His experiences before the arrest largely contributed to his actions. Nevertheless, with the process of restorative justice, he was able to understand there are better ways to cope with life challenges rather than causing harm.
Finally, the process of restorative justice aids in repairing harm through changing the attitude of the offender and accountability (Morris, 2002). Fixing damage does not necessarily mean compensation it also entails preventing it from occurring again. The only way to do this is ensuring that the victim is assured it will never happen again. On the other hand, this process assures the offender that they have the confidence and capability to avoid the situation from happening again. The only way to achieve this is having their attitudes change. The attitude that they have towards facing life challenges should be positively impact. In this case, the community offers essential life skills which support the offender after causing harm. An offender not only becomes aware that they committed a crime which caused harm but also shows responsibility through the actions which follow. This process offers an opportunity for the community to identify the strengths of the offender and turn them into something which will contribute towards repairing the harm.
In conclusion, the process of restorative justice is one of the effective methods that can be used in administrating justice to both the offender and the victim equitably helping to repair the relationships that the crime had destroyed. In the study assessed, the researcher focused on the problem which is the lack of investigation on the firsthand experiences of individuals participating in the restorative process specifically the offenders. The thesis of this paper is that effective utilization of the process of restorative justice helps in repairing the harm which is caused by engagement in crime. Three arguments have been presented to support this thesis. Explicitly, an argument has been presented in that harm which was committed by the offender is addressed, the cause of the harm is eliminated, and finally, the process of restorative justice balances the concerns of all parties involved. Thus, this process ensures that the possibility of the offender causing harm in the future is eliminated.

References
Johnstone, G., & Van Ness, D. W. (Eds.). (2007). Handbook of restorative justice. Taylor & Francis.
Marty, P. (2000). Personalizing crime. Dispute Resolut Mag, 7, 8-11.
Morris, A. (2002). Critiquing the critics: A brief response to critics of restorative justice. British Journal of Criminology, 42(3), 596-615.