Restoration of the emotional and material losses resulting from crime is far more important than imposing ever increasing levels of costly punishment on the offender. The debt owed by offenders is very concrete. Rather than passively 'taking your punishment' offenders are encouraged to actively restore losses to victims and communities. The use of dialogue and negotiation between victims, victimized communities and offenders is emphasized. All parties are involved in settling the offense and reconciliation.
Crime is seen as more than simply a violation of the criminal law.
Instead, the key focus is on the damage done to victims and communities and each is seen as having a role to play in responding to the criminal act. Restorative justice returns the criminal conflict back to victims and offenders. It empowers them to address sanctioning concerns together. And it changes and lessens state and professional intervention in the settlement of criminal conflicts. By endorsing Marshalls definition, we do not intend to limit the continuing dialogue on the concept.