What are the goals of the TDCJ's Restorative Justice initiatives?

The correct answer focuses on the core principles of Restorative Justice, which emphasize repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior. This approach aims to foster communication and understanding between the offender and the victim, facilitating a process where the offender can take responsibility for their actions while the victim has the opportunity to express the impact of the crime on their life. The initiative seeks not only to address the immediate consequences of criminal actions but also to promote healing and reconciliation, thus strengthening community ties and reducing recidivism through accountability and empathy.

The other choices reflect punitive measures or goals that do not align with the ethos of Restorative Justice. While punishment and longer sentences may address crime from a retributive perspective, they do not focus on healing or relationship-building, which are essential components of Restorative Justice initiatives. Reducing the number of offenders, while potentially a goal of some criminal justice reforms, does not inherently align with the restorative aims of addressing the underlying issues and facilitating positive outcomes for both victims and offenders.