Can two seemingly different paths to justice - restorative justice and probation - truly work hand in hand, or do their foundational differences demand a clearer separation? Both approaches offer alternatives to incarceration, prioritizing offender accountability and social repair, which often leads to their pairing in academic and policy debates. Yet restorative justice is rooted in victim-centered, community-driven practices, while probation operates within the traditional penal system, focusing on supervision and rehabilitation. This paper investigates where these models align, where they diverge, and whether integrating restorative principles into probation can enhance outcomes or blur essential distinctions in criminal justice reform. Understanding this dynamic is crucial for developing more coherent and effective justice policies.

Two Paths, One Goal? The Evolving Relationship Between Restorative Justice and Probation (PID089)

Speakers

Dr. Rahime Erbaş