Restorative Justice

Justice System Journal, 2005 by Wasby, Stephen L

Ruth Ann Strickland, Restorative Justice. New York: Peter Lang Publishing, 2004. 143 pp.

This short book is a useful primer on restorative justice, which the author, using Braithwaite, defines as "a series of processes designed to repair the harm that a criminal offense inflicts on victims, offenders, and communities" (p. 1) in which the parties with a stake work together to repair harm and prevent future harm. Problem-solving courts are one of several general practices discussed. Strickland looks at restorative justice in terms of the involvement of, and effects on, defendants, victims, the courtroom workgroup (police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges), the community, and corrections. Problem-solving courts get particular attention in discussion of judges. SLW