Application of Restorative Justice to Juvenile and Adult Crimes
Description
Have you ever learned about a sentence given for a specific crime and questioned whether it would propel the offender further into a life of crime rather than rehabilitate him or her? If so, you are not alone. There is a significant “decarceration” movement in the United States that aims to end mass incarceration, particularly for those offenders who have committed nonviolent crimes. Using a restorative justice approach is one viable alternative to incarceration and other harsh punishments.
For this Assignment, you identify a local crime committed by a juvenile and a local crime committed by an adult for which a punitive approach was used. Then you consider how a restorative justice approach could have been more effective instead.
By Day 7
Write a 1,500-word paper that includes the following:
Juvenile Justice System (500 words)
Identify one well-publicized crime committed by a juvenile in your community for which a restorative justice approach would have been more appropriate than the punitive approach that was used. Explain why.
Explain how you would apply a restorative justice approach to the case. Be sure to include the following:
Strategies to ensure that the offender provides accountability to the victim and the community
Programs and services to rehabilitate the offender
Adult Justice System (500 words)
Identify one well-publicized crime committed by an adult in your community for which a restorative justice approach would have been more appropriate than the punitive approach that was used. Explain why.
Explain how you would apply a restorative justice approach to the case. Be sure to include the following:
Strategies to ensure that the offender provides accountability to the victim and the community
Programs and services to rehabilitate the offender
Conclusion (500 words)
Describe challenges you would encounter when implementing a restorative justice approach in the juvenile and adult cases you addressed. Then explain how you would overcome the challenges.
Explain the degree to which the application of a restorative justice approach is similar or different in the juvenile and adult justice systems.
Explain the benefits of restorative justice in the juvenile and adult cases compared to the punitive approach that was used.
Be sure to reference the course readings to support your responses.
