Final answer:
Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm from crimes by involving offenders, victims, and communities, offering a cost-effective, less punitive alternative with greater victim satisfaction compared to traditional justice systems.
Step-by-step explanation:
Restorative justice is a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior. It involves bringing together offenders, victims, and communities to determine how the offender can make amends for the injuries caused. This approach is recognized for causing modest reductions in reoffending and for being cost-effective, with a benefit-cost ratio of eight.
Restorative justice stands out as a lower-cost alternative to traditional criminal justice prosecution and often results in higher victim satisfaction. Additionally, in cases where appropriate and ethical, restorative justice programs can contribute to the therapeutic healing process by restoring harmony, balance, and order, which aligns with historical concepts of justice such as those proposed by Plato, who associated justice with the harmony of all parts of society.
When compared to other criminal justice approaches, such as retribution, incapacitation, prevention, and rehabilitation, restorative justice focuses on the restorative aspect. Countries use different combinations of these approaches to address crime based on their unique needs and the social, economic, and legal contexts in which they operate. It's essential, therefore, to understand that while other methods focus on punishment or prevention, restorative justice seeks to address the consequences of crime and to promote healing for all parties involved.