Abstract
There is an uneasy relationship between critical criminology and restorative justice. On the one hand, restorative justice is a story of optimism, reform and social change. Yet it also demonstrates a tendency to work within traditional criminal justice systems and whilst doing so, fails to challenge the exclusionary processes of criminalisation. This chapter explores some of the tensions between restorative justice and critical criminology – it is a critique of restorative justice within the context of the unfulfilled possibilities that restorative justice might hold.
Disciplines
Criminal Law | Criminal Procedure
Date of this Version
April 2008
Recommended Citation
Chris Cunneen, "Understanding Restorative Justice Through the Lens of Critical Criminology" (April 2008). University of New South Wales Faculty of Law Research Series 2008. Working Paper 20.
http://law.bepress.com/unswwps-flrps08/art20
Comments
This paper appeared in Cunneen, C. and Anthony, T. (eds) 'The Critical Criminology Companion, Hawkins Press' (an Imprint of Federation Press), Annandale. ISBN978187606 pp290-302, 2008. This paper may also be referenced as [2008] UNSWLRS 20.