Description:Providing a critical perspective on the aspirations of advocates of restorative justice and the direction in which restorative justice is developing, this book provides an empirically researched contribution to theoretical debates. Drawing on qualitative research, the book examines the significant gaps that exist between the ideas of proponents of restorative justice and the objectives being pursued in practice. The work also suggests possible ways forward for the restorative justice movement and the development of practices with a coherent set of restorative justice ideals.