Restorative Justice - Class Discussion

Take part in a class discussion about restorative justice. 
You can use the toolbox below.

1. Individual work.
Read the arguments about restorative justice. Highlight the arguments in favour in green and those against in yellow. When you hesitate, write "??".
a. Restorative justice is too easy on criminals.
b. It cannot work for serious crimes.
c. Restorative justice helps understand the other person's point of view.
d. It encourages offenders to take responsibility.
e. It makes offenders repair the harm they have done.
f. Restorative justice helps victims heal.
g. It can reduce future crimes.
h. Some offenders are not sincere. They only want amnesty.
i. Some victims cannot or do not want to  forgive.

2. Group work.
a. In groups of three, discuss your opinions about Activity 1. Your goal is to convince your group mates!
b. As a group, select two assertions from Activity 1 (or other arguments of your choice) that you really agree with, and one you disagree with. Get ready to justify your choices.

3. Discuss your opinions with the rest of the class. 

4. With your group mates, prepare a short written summary of the discussion.

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Toolbox

Adjectives
useful, helpful ≠ useless, unhelpful, pointless
relevant = meaningful = appropriate ≠ irrelevant, meaningless, inappropriate
painful, unbearable, traumatising = shocking ≠ healing = therapeutic
shocked = hurt = traumatized ≠ relieved = comforted
unconvincing = persuasive ≠ convincing = unpersuasive

Expressions
We think argument ... is really ... as offenders ...
We  partly disagree with argument ... Obviously/Indeed,  some victims must think/feel ...
No matter what/how ..., victims/offenders will always ...
In spite of the abuse they suffered, victims may ...
In spite of the crime they committed, offenders may ...
I really think that ...
I have no doubt that ...
I'm positive that ...
In my our opinion, ...
It seems to me/us that ...
I agree/disagree with you as I think that ...
To be honest, ...
I/we could be wrong, but ...
Some people may disagree with me/us , but ...
You probably won't agree, but ...
On the one hand, ...    On the other hand, ...
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