The article about Connor McBride's crime and experience with restorative justice said that the restorative justice route is uncommon in homicide cases. The traditional criminal justice system is vengeance-centered and disregards the convict as a person. The justice system attempts to provide relief or restitution for the victims. In Ann and Connor's situation, Ann's parents understood that no punishment could bring their daughter back. They also understood that a prison sentence would cause Connor's parents to lose their own son.
I think restorative justice is a mature and worthwhile alternative to the justice system, because it treats the criminal as a person and not a monster. For certain cases, restorative justice is unrealistic. Brutal crimes, including heinous murder and rape, warrant prison sentences. Some people are beyond the point of remorse and must be put in prison to prevent further harm to society. On the other hand, some people's crimes are minor and do not require long prison sentences. A thief, for example, might benefit more from a restorative justice program. Often, short prison sentences make it difficult for criminals to find jobs after prison, thus contributing to a vicious cycle of crime. Restorative justice has the potential to break this cycle.
Restorative justice is more in line with Catholic social teaching than the traditional justice system because it allows for forgiveness and healing instead of condemnation and vengeance. Restorative justice provides hope that the guilty person may rise above his or her crimes and do good in the world. The traditional justice system eliminates the possibility of good. The article says that a person is more than his or her worst action. Restorative justice allows for healing, understanding, and hope.
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