Restorative Justice in a Prison Community

In the W.C. Holman Correctional facility, restorative justice is a reform initiative conducted by non-governmental organizations and churches in corroboration with the wardens. The initiative focuses on inmates about to be released back into society. The requirement for joining the initiative is staying for six months without punishment. A large building within the facility serves as the center of restorative justice. The building is an Honor Dorm (Swanson 48,83).
Benefits
Restorative justice help improve public safety through the rehabilitation of offenders about to be released back into the society. It changes the mindset of both the victim and the offender.
It sheds light on different methods of solving conflict by promoting dialogue. The initiative reduces of some of its offenders significantly. In the normal correction process, 50 to 60% of released inmates end up back in prison. The rate of repeat offenders in the initiative is significantly lower at 16% (Palmer).
Restorative justice reduces post-traumatic stress on the victims. It also reduces the victims desire for violence and increase remorse in the offender by encouraging him to view the crime from the victims perspective. The actives of the initiative increase the satisfaction of both the victim and offender with the justice system. It improves the conditions in prison because members of the honor dorm are less likely to engage in violence and criminal behavior (Fox News).
Challenges
The only requirement for joining the honor dorm is staying free from punishment in prison for six months. Inmates who achieve this requirement may have varying motivations for joining. The members of restorative justice enjoy more freedoms in comparison to the other inmates. Some of the members use this freedom to access things that they sell to other inmates in the general population. Not many victims are willing to participate in this exercise because they still harbor anger. Peacemaking circles are mandatory for members of the honor dorm. This makes the participation of inmates less honest (Wasby 98).