Abstract

The traditional juvenile justice system, focused on punishment and deterrence, often falls short in addressing the underlying causes of youth offending and fostering rehabilitation. Restorative justice, emphasizing repairing harm and restoring relationships, presents a potential alternative. This research paper analyzes the effectiveness of restorative justice practices within the juvenile justice system, exploring its impact on recidivism, victim satisfaction, and offender accountability. The paper assesses the various restorative justice interventions employed with juveniles, including victim-offender conferencing, family group conferencing, and peer mediation. The analysis examines the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches, evaluating their effectiveness in reducing recidivism rates compared to traditional punitive measures. Furthermore, the research delves into the impact of restorative justice on victims, investigating whether it enhances their satisfaction, promotes healing, and empowers them to participate in the justice process. By critically analyzing the existing research and addressing the complexities involved, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of restorative justice in the juvenile justice system. Ultimately, the goal is to contribute to the ongoing debate about how to best achieve the goals of holding young offenders accountable while promoting their rehabilitation and reintegration into society.

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