Restorative Justice in Prisons

The Congolese prison system is based on national legal instruments dating back to the country's independence. Just as old as these texts are, so too are the Congolese prisons-old and dilapidated. They are poorly maintained, severely lacking in food, competent staff, and facilities to segregate prisoners based on their level of danger, as well as other basic supplies necessary for prison operations... Consequently, Congolese prisons foster criminal behavior. To address this, restorative justice can be implemented through certain practices such as the retraining of prison staff, mediation between the victim and the offender, restorative justice meetings held in prison, and voluntary (rather than forced or mandatory) work as a means for the offender to contribute to the victim's rehabilitation.