Definition of Restorative Justice
According to Zehr (2002), “Restorative Justice is a process to involve to the greatest extent possible, those who have a stake in a specific offense and to collectively identify and address harms, needs, obligations, in order to heal and put things as right as possible.” 

Restorative Justice Philosophical Foundation 
Restorative Justice is a philosophy and body of practices utilized to address the harm associated with wrongdoing. The model seeks to address the needs and concerns of:

• the victim
• the obligations of the offender and the community’s engagement
• the responsibility to the victim and offender (Zehr, 2002)

Retributive Justice Philosophical Foundation 
Retributive Justice is a belief that pain through the use of punishment is the currency needed to vindicate and reciprocate the harm associated with wrongdoing.  Crime is a violation of the state.  As a result, the state must decide who is to blame and then impose a punishment (Zehr, 2002).

Retributive Justice vs. Restorative Justice
Retributive Justice and Restorative Justice have different approaches to addressing harm and ask different questions.