What core principle of restorative justice distinguishes it from retributive justice?

The core principle distinguishing restorative justice from retributive justice is its focus on repairing harm and restoring relationships rather than solely punishing offenders. Retributive justice primarily aims to punish offenders for breaking laws, emphasizing accountability through sanctions like fines or imprisonment. It focuses on the offense itself and determining appropriate punishment. Restorative justice, in contrast, emphasizes repairing the harm caused by the offense to victims, communities, and even offenders themselves. It seeks to identify the needs of those affected by the harm and to involve all stakeholders in finding ways to address those needs and heal the relationships that were damaged. This often involves dialogue between the offender, the victim, and community members to promote understanding, empathy, and accountability. For example, in a case of vandalism, retributive justice would focus on punishing the offender, while restorative justice would involve the offender meeting with the victim to understand the impact of their actions, taking responsibility for the damage, and working to repair it, potentially through restitution or community service.