Restorative Justice as an Alternative to Incarceration for Juveniles

Abstract

The issue of juvenile justice has gained much attention on whether imprisonment is indeed achieving goals of deterrence, rehabilitation and community safety. Conventional measures of punishment usually do not solve the underlying causes of juvenile delinquency, but instead lead to the reinforcement of stigmatization and re-offending. In comparison, restorative justice focuses on accountability, reconciliation, and reintegration to provide a different framework in which both victims and offenders are the center of the justice process.

This paper critically analyses restorative justice as a valid alternative to incarceration when it comes to juvenile justice systems. It examines international legal norms, cross-country best practices, and research findings regarding such outcomes as lower recidivism and community integration. The research also assesses the shortcomings of the restorative practices such as risks of revictimization, and institutional integration. Finally, the paper suggests that restorative justice is a more humane, effective, and legally consistent response to juvenile offending, which is consistent with international human rights standards and developmental requirements of young offenders.