Restorative Justice: Why Do We Need it? • BRAVE NEW FILMS (BNF)

Summary

This video script discusses the limitations of the current criminal justice system and introduces restorative justice as a more effective alternative. It highlights how most victims of violent crime don't report their experiences and how traditional punishment fails to foster true accountability or healing. Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm by holding individuals accountable, meeting the needs of victims, and promoting healing. It emphasizes that true safety is achieved not through incarceration, but through addressing root causes of violence and creating opportunities for transformation and healing for both victims and offenders.

Takeaways

• 😀 More than half of victims of violent crime do not report it to the police, often because they feel the system does not provide meaningful solutions.
• 😀 Restorative justice offers a more proactive, healing-focused alternative to the traditional punitive justice system.
• 😀 Punishment alone does not foster change or accountability—it only removes individuals from society without addressing the root causes of their behavior.
• 😀 Restorative justice holds offenders accountable by having them answer questions about the harm they caused, its impact, and how they can repair it.
• 😀 The goal of restorative justice is not just remorse, but action—offenders are required to make reparations and demonstrate responsibility through tangible steps like restitution and community service.
• 😀 Restorative justice has been used for both minor offenses like vandalism and serious crimes such as murder, focusing on meeting the needs of victims and promoting healing.
• 😀 For victims, healing from trauma often requires answers to the questions about how and why they were harmed, which restorative justice seeks to provide.
• 😀 The current criminal justice system does not lead to safer communities—incarceration often exposes individuals to the same conditions that drive violence in the first place.
• 😀 The core causes of violence include shame, isolation, economic insecurity, and exposure to violence, which are exacerbated by prisons.
• 😀 Restorative justice provides a more holistic approach, addressing these root causes and offering a process that is aimed at healing both victims and offenders, leading to safer and more supportive communities.

Q & A

What is the key problem with the current criminal justice system, as described in the script?

The key problem is that the current system focuses on punishment, which is passive and does not require individuals to change or take responsibility for their actions. It also fails to address the deeper causes of crime, such as shame, isolation, and unmet economic needs.

What is restorative justice and how does it differ from traditional punishment?

Restorative justice is a process that aims to hold individuals accountable for their actions by requiring them to take responsibility and repair the harm they caused. Unlike traditional punishment, which focuses on locking people up, restorative justice involves active participation and addressing the needs of the victims.

Why do many victims of violent crime choose not to call the police?

More than half of victims of violent crime do not call the police because they feel that the system does not offer anything better than nothing. They may perceive the justice system as inadequate in addressing their needs or healing their pain.

How does restorative justice aim to address the needs of crime survivors?

Restorative justice seeks to meet the needs of crime survivors by involving the person who caused the harm in a process that helps them understand the impact of their actions, answer important questions, and make reparations to the victim. It provides a platform for healing and safety for those affected by crime.

What does it mean for someone to 'do sorry' in the context of restorative justice?

'Doing sorry' means taking concrete actions to repair the harm caused by a crime. This can include actions like going to school, getting a job, paying restitution, apologizing, or doing community service, rather than just expressing regret.

What kinds of crimes can restorative justice be applied to?

Restorative justice can be applied to a wide range of crimes, from low-level infractions like vandalism to serious crimes such as murder. Its flexibility allows it to address the needs of victims and offenders in various situations.

What are some of the root causes of violence mentioned in the script?

The script identifies shame, isolation, the inability to meet one's economic needs, and exposure to violence as the core drivers of violence. These issues are often exacerbated within the prison system.

How does incarceration contribute to the problem of recidivism?

Incarceration often exposes individuals to the very factors that increase the likelihood of future violence, such as isolation and exposure to further violence. This creates a cycle of harm and does not provide the necessary conditions for rehabilitation or reducing recidivism.

What is the ultimate goal of restorative justice for both victims and offenders?

The ultimate goal of restorative justice is to heal the victims by addressing their needs and providing answers, while holding offenders accountable and helping them avoid repeating their harmful actions. It aims to create a safer society by addressing the root causes of crime and healing the harm done.

What does the script suggest about the effectiveness of incarceration in ensuring public safety?

The script suggests that incarceration is not effective in ensuring public safety. If it were, the country would have the safest society in history, yet incarceration does not produce the desired safety or reduce crime rates.