On this blog, we often use the term "redemption law" when discussing ways to give people a second chance after they have been convicted of a crime. Another term that some of our readers may have seen is "restorative justice." The two concepts are different in many ways, but they have some important things in common, and it can be helpful to understand what restorative justice means.
Put simply, restorative justice refers to an approach to criminal justice that, instead of centering on punishment, emphasizes repairing the damage done to people by criminal acts. This general concept has existed in various forms throughout history, and many Native American tribes have practiced some form of restorative justice for centuries.
