Restorative justice is a philosophical framework which has been proposed as an alternative to the current way of thinking about crime and criminal justice.

Restorative justice emphasizes the ways in which crime harms relationships in the context of community.

Under the restorative justice philosophy, crime is viewed as a violation of the victim and the community, not a violation of the state. As a result, the offender becomes accountable to the victim and the community, not the state.

Restorative justice provides for active participation by the victim, the offender and the community in the process of repairing the fabric of community peace.

Restorative justice seeks to balance three important aspects: community safety, accountability and competency development.

Restorative justice seeks to improve community safety by developing appropriate plans for offenders and working with them to lower the risk of re-offending.

Restorative justice defines accountability for offenders in terms of taking responsibility for actions, and taking action to repair the harm caused to the victim and community.

Restorative justice defines competency development as the process by which offenders develop skills and abillities which will help them to take a more positive role in their community, and lower the risk of re-offending.