Revisiting the Real Story of Restorative Justice in the Criminal Justice System: 20 Years On
Publication: Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Volume 65, Number 2
Abstract
Abstract
The rapid growth of restorative justice (RJ) has brought myths into the literature. K. Daly’s “Restorative Justice: The Real Story” (Punishment and Society 4(1), 55–79, 2002) is among the most important demythologization attempts in the literature. This article revisits the four myths that were discussed in this seminal article: (1) RJ is an oppositional concept to retributive justice; (2) RJ is rooted in Indigenous justice and the past dominant form of justice; (3) RJ is a care response as opposed to a justice response; and (4) RJ has the potential to transform people. This article first examines whether these four myths remain pervasive in the post-2002 RJ literature. Reviewing the post-2002 literature suggests that demythologization has almost taken place. The article then seeks to highlight theoretical gaps in the post-2002 RJ. Corresponding to the four myths identified, it offers four areas of RJ that warrant further debate and research: (1) institutionalization of RJ, (2) decolonization of RJ, (3) the role of masculinity in RJ, and (4) how RJ works.
Résumé
En raison de la croissance rapide de la justice réparatrice (JR), les publications ont diffusé des mythes sur le sujet. L’article de K. Daly, intitulé Restorative Justice: The Real Story (Punishment and Society 4(1), 55–79, 2002) fait partie des plus importantes tentatives de démythologisation publiées. Le présent article porte un regard sur les quatre mythes abordés dans cette parution fondamentale : 1) la JR est un concept qui s’oppose à la justice rétributive; 2) la JR est ancrée dans la justice autochtone et dans une forme de justice qui était dominante par le passé; 3) la JR est une réponse reposant sur les soins plutôt que sur les sanctions et 4) la JR a le potentiel de transformer les individus. Le présent article évalue d’abord si ces quatre mythes demeurent omniprésents dans les publications sur la JR diffusées après 2002. En réponse aux quatre mythes énoncés, il propose quatre secteurs de la JR qui devraient faire l’objet de débats et de recherches plus poussés : 1) l’institutionnalisation de la JR, 2) la décolonisation de la JR, 3) le rôle de la masculinité dans la JR et 4) le mode de fonctionnement de la JR.
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Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Volume 65 • Number 2 • April 2023
Pages: 78 - 96
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© Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice. The publisher holds the copyright for the article.
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Received: 5 December 2022
Published in print: April 2023
Revision received: 27 April 2023
Accepted: 5 May 2023
Published online: 12 September 2023
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Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice 2023 65:2, 78-96
Canadian Journal of Criminology and Criminal Justice 2023 65:2, 78-96