The Psychology of Restorative Justice ― Managing the Power Within

This ground-breaking collection dares to take the next step in the advancement of an autonomous, inter-disciplinary restorative justice field of study. It brings together criminology, social psychology, legal theory, neuroscience, affect-script psychology, sociology, forensic mental health, political sciences, psychology and positive psychology to articulate for the first time a psychological concept of restorative justice. To this end, the book studies the power structures of the restorative justice movement, the very psychology, motivations and emotions of the practitioners who implement it as well as the drivers of its theoreticians and researchers. Furthermore, it examines the strengths and weakness of our own societies and the communities that are called to participate as parties in restorative justice. Their own biases, hunger for power and control, fears and hopes are investigated. The psychology and dynamics between those it aims to reach as well as those who are funding it, including policy makers and politicians, are looked into. All these questions lead to creating an understanding of the psychology of restorative justice. The book is essential reading for academics, researchers, policymakers, practitioners and campaigners.

Theo Gavrielides is an international expert in restorative justice, human rights and criminal justice and an advisor and project manager for EU and international programmes. He is the Founder and Director of The IARS International Institute and the Founder and co-Director of the Restorative Justice for All Institute (RJ4All). He is also an Adjunct Professor at the School of Criminology (Centre for Restorative Justice) of Simon Fraser University as well as a Visiting Professor at Buckinghamshire New University. Professor Gavrielides is the Editor-in-Chief of the peer-reviewed International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, as well as of the Youth Voice Journal and the Internet Journal of Restorative Justice. He has published extensively in the areas of restorative justice, human rights, youth justice, equality and criminal justice. Previously, he was the Chief Executive of Race on the Agenda, as well as the Human Rights Advisor of the UK Ministry of Justice.