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This commentary is by Kathy Fox of South Burlington, a professor of sociology at the University of Vermont, with expertise in criminology. Her comments do not represent UVM. She is director of the UVM Liberal Arts in Prison Program and a researcher for the National Center on Restorative Justice.<\/em><\/p>\n As a criminologist who studies the criminal-legal system, it is frustrating to hear people refer to \u201calternative justice\u201d \u2014 such as restorative justice, diversion, treatment courts and the like \u2014 as \u201csoft on crime.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n There are several ways in which these assertions are incorrect. First of all, \u201csoft on crime\u201d implies that such practices let people off the hook and are ineffective. However, the research shows that restorative justice reduces reoffending, which indicates that whatever \u201ctough on crime\u201d options that are imagined as superior are, in fact, less effective in achieving the major goal of crime control.\u00a0<\/p>\n In fact, the research on restorative justice has demonstrated reductions in repeat offending, among all kinds of offense types. For example, they found that it reduces violent and other serious offenses<\/a> when it is used as a diversion from criminal court.<\/p>\n Secondly, overwhelmingly, victims report higher degrees of satisfaction with restorative processes than traditional criminal proceedings.<\/a> They also report feeling the process is fair. The vast majority (90 to 95%) of criminal cases result in a plea agreement,<\/a> in part because our system is overburdened with cases and cannot possibly bring them all to trial. (That alone should tell you we have a problem in the system.)\u00a0<\/p>\n The defendant may plead guilty to some lesser charges, as an outcome of negotiations between attorneys. In restorative processes, victims have the option of meeting with the person charged, explaining the extent and impact of the harm done, and to seek an apology. For people who think that restorative processes are easy or soft, it is not easier to face the person who has been harmed and to be held accountable. It can be painful but also impactful.\u00a0<\/p>\n