retributive and restorative structures and philosophies.

Retributive and restorative justice are two distinct structures and philosophies that seek to address conflicts and crime. Retributive justice is a system of punishment in which offenders are held accountable for their actions and are penalized accordingly. The idea behind this system is that offenders should suffer the consequences of their behavior so as to discourage them from repeating the same mistakes. Restorative justice, on the other hand, is a system of justice that focuses on repairing the harm caused by crime or conflict, rather than punishing the offender. This system works to restore relationships between the offender and the victim, as well as the community as a whole (Thompson, 2021). Retributive justice is based on the principle of proportionality, wherein punishments must fit the crime. Punishments can include fines, incarceration, and even the death penalty. On the other hand, restorative justice attempts to heal the damage caused by a crime or conflict, emphasizing the need to repair relationships and the community. This can be done through various means, including restorative practices, victim-offender mediation, and community-based sanctions. Although these two systems may appear to be mutually exclusive, they can in fact be used in tandem. Retributive justice can be used as a form of accountability for the offender… Cont…