Restorative Justice emphasizes repairing the harm caused by wrongdoing and holds the offender accountable for that harm. Restorative Justice focuses on crime as an act against another individual or community rather than the state. The victim plays a major role in the process and often receives some mutually-agreed upon form of restitution from the offender.

Three principles form the foundation for Restorative Justice:

• Justice requires that we work to restore those who have been injured.
• Those most directly involved and affected by crime should have the opportunity to participate fully in the response if they wish.
• The government's role is to preserve a just public order, while the community's role is to build and maintain a just peace.
  
  -- From Restorative Justice Online

Some of the processes and outcomes typically identified with Restorative Justice include:

Victim Offender Mediation • Conferencing Circles
Victim Assistance • Ex-Offender Assistance
Restitution • Family Group Conferencing • Truth
and Reconciliation