Restorative justice has emerged as an increasingly popular correctional par
adigm that is drawing support not only from conservatives but also from lib
erals. Although this approach has value, its ready embrace as a progressive
reform is potentially problematic in two respects. First, the risk exists
that restorative justice programs will be corrupted to serve nonprogressive
goals and thus do more harm than good. Second, there is little reason to a
nticipate that restorative justice programs will have a meaningful effect o
n offender recidivism. Thus, restorative justice should be viewed and imple
mented with caution.