Restorative justice: the need for awareness within the law enforcement community

This study examined the current limitations faced by restorative justice. Specifically, this project was undertaken to find out the current limitations of restorative justice practices and to provide solutions/opportunities to those limitations. Secondary data coming from various articles has been analyzed in order to determine existing gaps and trends that were consistent and repetitive from one article to another. After analysis of the data, main limitations such as, the need to change the image of justice, the lack of availability of restorative justice programs and restorative justice practices and the lack of funding have been identified. This research also examines the link between the limitations faced by restorative justice programs and restorative justices practices to the lack of awareness within the community, but, more importantly, with law enforcement practitioners. This study can provide law enforcement practitioners with the information they need to increase the use of restorative justice practices and to acknowledge that restorative justice is an effective way to address criminal behaviours.