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In the former Deschutes County justice system, corrections resources were targeted toward the offender, often leaving the victim underrepresented, or at best, passively participating in the system. Retributive justice focuses on public vengeance, deterrence and punishment through a court process, and, by its very nature, insulates the offender from the human consequences of their acts. This system promotes competition between advocates of rehabilitation and punishment, with citizens involved in the “system” experiencing increased frustration.
Community Justice views the community (including victims and offenders) as the ultimate customer, and as partners of the justice system, while offenders are expected to repair the harm they have caused. The justice system and citizens work together to restore victims and communities to the fullest extent possible, and to solve crime–related problems. This objective is accomplished by confronting crime, addressing social disorder and criminal behavior, and by holding offenders accountable to their victims and the community.
Community Justice is non–competitive and non–contradictory, emphasizing crime prevention and collaboration. Community Justice system components collaborate in new, problem–oriented ways to do what is appropriate, just, and necessary to preserve community safety and health.
Community Justice seeks to:
- Prevent crime
- Attend to victim needs
- Hold offenders accountable
- Operate a cost–effective system
- Promote secure communities where crime cannot flourish
- Create opportunities for youth to make positive contributions in the community
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