Crime, Punishment, and Restorative Justice: From the Margins to the Mainstream

Is there a place for punishment in restorative justice? Can restorative justice be applied to a full range of offenses? Ross London answers both questions with an unequivocal yes.

London proposes that restoration, and especially the restoration of trust, be viewed as the overarching goal of all criminal justice policies and practices. Within that context, he argues that punishment--far from contradicting the goal of restoration--is not only essential for the victim and the community, but also a necessary component for the reintegration of the offender.

Drawing on his experience as a judge, prosecutor, and public defender, London offers a pragmatic vision of restorative justice that integrates its core values with real-world applications for even the most serious violent crimes.