Punitive restoration giving the public a say on sentencing.
Mass incarceration is at near pandemic proportions and yet there is evidence of poor public confidence in how sentencing is handled by the criminal justice system with many finding the courts too lenient. This chapter considers this problem about public confidence and sentencing from a distinctive angle: if public confidence in sentencing is so poor, then why not include the public more in sentencing decision making? Restorative justice is a welcome first step about how the public can participate effectively with high satisfaction and lower reoffending at less cost. The chapter argues that restorative justice should be expanded to include more punitive outcomes, including hard treatment, in what I call "punitive restoration." More punitive options for restorative justice may increase its applicability and positive outcomes like improved public confidence while embedding it further into the criminal justice system.