The Arizona department of corrections in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona is directed by Charles L Ryan. This facility employs over 9,500 correction professionals who are dedicated to enforcing the proper procedures to provide an adequate opportunity of correction for all inmates. Ancillary entities support the legal system in carrying out justice by encouraging all employees to provide necessary support to all activities of the correctional facility. In an organization like a correctional facility, it is imperative that employees complete every task exactly as it should be done as to avoid any individuals claiming the punishment given to them is unfair or prejudice. Not following this form of punishment could be directly linked to the eighth amendment of the constitution “Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”. Treating prisoners with a cruel or unusual punishment is not only unjust, but it impedes the constitutional rights given to every citizen of The United States of America. If every criminal is treated the same way when being given a punishment and also when being punished, no persons could feel as if they were being singled out and everyone could gain the same benefit from the correctional process that is being demanded of them.
Although there are positive results through the form of Restorative Justice, after a crime, people are highly unlikely to recommend restorative measures. Victims need to be recognized as the solution to promote restorative justice. One author, Vicky De Mesmaecker, suggests promoting restorative justice through media. She believes that “the most appealing aspect of restorative justice to the public is its thoughtfulness to victims.” (De Mesmaecker). This method would allow the public to see that there is a very effective and peaceful way to correct a victim while also maintaining a form of peace. While some believe that criminals do not deserve pity or kindness, if the effectiveness of Restorative Justice was made more well known to the public, some citizen’s opinions may be swayed in the other direction. Author Vesna Stefanovska claims that several objectives used to measure the results of Restorative Justice are “The offender accepts responsibility for the crime; the offender faces and apologizes to the victim; the victim participates actively in dealing with the crime; the victim achieves adequate reparation and emotional healing; the disturbed relationship is re-established with harmony and balance.” (Stefanovska). According to Stefanovska, this allows the two people involved in the crime to be their own judges which give them the ability to resolve their issues in a civil manner. Areas where this approach may struggle are dependent on whether the two people involved can come to an actual resolution between each other.
Restorative Punishment is by far a better form of punishment for a system of corrections. Incarcerating criminals can corrupt their mind and lead the victim down a life of crime. If somebody makes one mistake they should not have to suffer the consequences for their entire life. Criminals deserve to be punished for committing whatever crime it was that they were accused of, but in some cases, various forms of punishment must be considered before going any further.