Increasing Victim Satisfaction with Traditional Criminal Justice Systems: Lessons Learned from Restorative Justice

In this paper, I argue that we can identify policies that can increase victim satisfaction with traditional criminal justice systems through analyzing factors that increase victim satisfaction with restorative justice process. First, this paper defines key terms, including “restorative justice,” “traditional criminal justice systems” and “victim.” Next, it analyzes the current literature and identifies why increasing victim satisfaction in traditional criminal justice systems is important. Third, it looks at the state of victim satisfaction with traditional criminal justice systems, and identifies factors that contribute to low satisfaction. Fourth, this paper analyzes the literature examining restorative justice and victim satisfaction, and identifies key factors within restorative justice processes that improve victim satisfaction. Finally, having identified the problems with the traditional criminal justice system and the best practices within restorative justice systems, I propose a number of process changes for traditional criminal justice systems that could increase victim satisfaction