Abstract

LOUW, Dap  and  VAN WYK, Lezahne. The perspectives of South African legal professionals on restorative justice: an explorative qualitative study. Social work (Stellenbosch. Online) [online]. 2016, vol.52, n.4, pp.490-510. ISSN 2312-7198.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15270/52-2-527.

Disillusionment with especially imprisonment has led to the option of implementing restorative justice. However, restorative justice is not currently utilised to its fullest potential extent in South Africa. A possible explanation for the limited application was investigated by exploring the views that legal professionals hold about restorative justice. In order to obtain an in-depth understanding of these opinions, a qualitative research methodology was employed. It revealed a generally positive disposition by the participants towards restorative justice, although some cautionary preconditions were recommended. This exploratory finding opens the door for forensic professionals to consider this option more frequently.

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