Professor Ryan

Primary Task Response: Within the Discussion Board area, write 400–600 words that respond to the following questions with your thoughts, ideas, and comments. This will be the foundation for future discussions by your classmates. Be substantive and clear, and use examples to reinforce your ideas.

Research the concept known as restorative justice, and discuss the following:

• In your own words, define restorative justice, and provide an example of a restorative justice theory (or theories) in use by identifying a public or private program utilizing principles of restorative justice. Provide the Web site address (URL) for the program.
• Restorative justice as a way of thinking places a different value on the individual victim(s) of a crime. Historically, the jurisdiction (the people, the state, or the commonwealth) is the party represented by the prosecution, and society as a whole is the victim. How do restorative justice concepts treat the individual victim(s)?
• What significant challenges do you think exist with regard to implementing restorative justice theories effectively in state and local criminal justice systems in general? Explain.
• How do you think these challenges can be overcome? Explain.