What is it about?

This ground-breaking collection dares to take the next step in the advancement of an autonomous, inter-disciplinary restorative justice field of study. It brings together criminology, social psychology, legal theory, neuroscience, affect-script psychology, sociology, forensic mental health, political sciences, psychology and positive psychology to articulate for the first time a psychological concept of restorative justice. To this end, the book studies the power structures of the restorative justice movement, the very psychology, motivations and emotions of the practitioners who implement it as well as the drivers of its theoreticians and researchers. Furthermore, it examines the strengths and weakness of our own societies and the communities that are called to participate as parties in restorative justice. Their own biases, hunger for power and control, fears and hopes are investigated. The psychology and dynamics between those it aims to reach as well as those who are funding it, including policy makers and politicians, are looked into. All these questions lead to creating an understanding of the psychology of restorative justice. The book is essential reading for academics, researchers, policymakers, practitioners and campaigners.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

‘Gavrielides’ edited collection revolutionizes our understanding of restorative justice through its multidisciplinary, global and comprehensive approach. Despite the volumes written on this topic and billions spent by governments to implement restorative justice programs, the concept remains poorly understood and inconsistently implemented. Through both a theoretical and empirical framework, the authors in this collection discuss critical issues in restorative justice policies and practices and offer a cohesive understanding of the restorative justice movement. I highly recommend this book for academics, practitioners and policy-makers alike.’ Karen Terry, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, USA

Perspectives

‘In this volume, we really have a chance to see the richness of what real psychology can be - even qualitative, activist and theoretical. This is great news for psychology and great news for justice studies to see just what we can learn from the oldest social science. Leave it to restorative justice (again) to lead the way in breaking this important, new ground.’ Shadd Maruna, Rutgers University Newark, USA ‘Justice, in Plato's The Republic, means harmony, both internal, in the form of the soul, and external, in the form of the state. Restorative Justice, therefore, harmonizing the victim with the offender, is justice par excellence. Theo Gavrielides' new collective volume is the epitome of harmony in conflictual situations, in theory and practice, and in psychological perspectives, including the latest research in neuroscience.’ Calliope Spinelli, Professor at the University of Athens, Greece

Dr Theo Gavrielides
Restorative Justice for All International Institute

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: The Psychology of Restorative Justice, December 2015, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.4324/9781315553788.
You can read the full text:

Read

Contributors

The following have contributed to this page