Restorative justice theory has largely failed to keep pace with the
rapid expansion of restorative practices worldwide - indeed, it is
remarkable how much support RJ has when so few advocates can even define
what it is. As such, this insightful and comprehensive new contribution
from two of the top scholars on the frontlines of restorative justice
research is hugely welcome.
Professor Shadd Maruna, Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice,
University of Manchester
Reimagining Restorative Justice is a reflective and balanced
reconsideration of restorative justice. It deftly sweeps across the
large literature on the subject, putting it in perspective, seeing anew
through its wide-angle lens. Empowerment and accountability provide a
fertile framework for this richly reimagined justice.
Professor John Braithwaite, Australian National University
David O'Mahony and Jonathan Doak have made a significant contribution to
the confusing and over-complicated field of restorative justice theory.
They do so through their use of empowerment theory to bring conceptual
and operational clarity to the concepts of agency and accountability in
restorative processes and outcomes. As a result they develop a
convincing argument for face to face dialogue between victim and
perpetrator within the core of the criminal justice system. Their
emphasis upon ethical and skilful practice is a welcome riposte to the
rapid spread of 'restorative justice lite' driven by managerialism and
the need to cut costs.
Tim Chapman, Lecturer at the University of Ulster.
O'Mahony and Doak convincingly argue that rapid developments in the
practice of restorative interventions have outstripped restorative
justice theory. They provide both an outstandingly helpful review of the
literature and a fresh theoretical approach based on empowerment theory.
Everyone seriously interested in restorative justice will want to
reflect carefully on the authors' conclusions.
Anthony Bottoms, Emeritus Wolfson Professor of Criminology at the
University of Cambridge.
In recent years, restorative-based interventions have expanded rapidly
and are increasingly viewed as a legitimate, and even superior means of
delivering justice. The result of this swift but piecemeal development
has been that restorative justice practice has outpaced the development
of restorative justice theory. This book takes up this challenge by
'reimagining' a new framework for the operation of restorative justice
within criminal justice. In essence, it is contended that the core
empowering values of 'agency' and 'accountability' provide a lens for
reimagining how restorative justice works and the normative goals it
ought to encompass.
