Restorative Justice as an Alternative in the Indonesian Criminal Justice System
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59653/jplls.v3i03.1864Keywords:
restorative justice, Indonesian criminal justice system, iversionary mechanisms, adat law, juvenile justiceAbstract
This study examines in depth the application and potential of restorative justice as an alternative approach in the criminal justice system in Indonesia. Unlike the traditional retributive model, which emphasizes punishment, restorative justice emphasizes relationship restoration, reconciliation, and active community involvement in addressing criminal behavior. The Indonesian legal system, which is based on a combination of civil and customary law traditions, creates a conducive foundation for the application of restorative justice principles. This study examines relevant legal provisions, including Law Number 11 of 2012 concerning the Juvenile Criminal Justice System and diversion mechanisms, in addition to traditional conflict resolution practices deeply rooted in Indonesian society. The study's key findings indicate that restorative justice has significant potential to reduce recidivism rates, reduce overcrowding in correctional institutions, and restore social harmony while still accommodating the needs of victims. However, its implementation still faces several challenges, such as limited institutional capacity, lack of adequate training for law enforcement officers, and uneven implementation across regions. Based on the analysis, this study concludes that effective integration of restorative justice requires comprehensive legal reform, closer coordination among stakeholders, and cultural sensitivity to Indonesia's social diversity. These efforts are believed to foster a more humane, responsive, and sustainable criminal justice system, one that balances victim protection, offender development, and the interests of society as a whole.
Downloads
References
Achmad, R. (2018). Hukum Adat Indonesia dalam Era Kontemporer: Relevansi dan Transformasi. Jakarta: Rajawali Pers.
Adhi Wibisana, A. A. N., Wisnumurti, A. A. G. O., Budiartha, I. N. P., & Dewi, A. A. S. L. (2024). Legal Reform on the Concept of Restorative Justice in the Criminal Justice System. Jurnal Pembaharuan Hukum, 11(2), 264. https://doi.org/10.26532/jph.v11i2.32082
Anggarini, K. P., Julianto, E., Suntoni, Asmara, T., & Waluyadi. (2024). Implementation of Restorative Justice Regarding Child Violence Cases in Law Enforcement in the Police. Journal of Lifestyle and SDGs Review, 5(2), e03330. https://doi.org/10.47172/2965-730x.sdgsreview.v5.n02.pe03330
Armunanto Hutahaean. (2022). Penerapan Restorative Justice Oleh Kepolisian Negara Republik Indonesia Untuk Mewujudkan Tujuan Hukum. Jurnal Hukum To-Ra : Hukum Untuk Mengatur Dan Melindungi Masyarakat, 8(2), 140–148. https://doi.org/10.55809/tora.v8i2.119
Awaliah Nasution, N. P., Hamdani, F., & Fauzia, A. (2022). The Concept of Restorative Justice in Handling Crimes in the Criminal Justice System. European Journal of Law and Political Science, 1(5), 32–41. https://doi.org/10.24018/ejpolitics.2022.1.5.37
Braithwaite, J., & Gohar, A. (2020). Restorative justice, policing and punishment. In A. Liebling, S. Maruna, & L. McAra (Eds.), The Oxford Handbook of Criminology (6th ed., pp. 102-120). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Butler, S., Maglione, G., & Buchan, J. (2024). Institutionalising restorative justice for adults in Scotland: An empirical study of criminal justice practitioners’ perspectives. Criminology and Criminal Justice, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.1177/17488958221104229
Christiansen, N., & Bakhtiar, H. S. (2025). The Application of Trial as an Adult Concept in Indonesia : Justice for Victims in Juvenile Murder Cases. 5(5), 3496–3504.
Daly, K. (2016). What is restorative justice? Fresh answers to a vexed question. Victims & Offenders, 11(1), 9-29. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2015.1107797
Fransisco, W. (2022). Implementation of the Principle of Restorative Justice as an Alternative Resolving to Types of Crimes in the Related Criminal System Corruption Crimes in Indonesia. Legal Brief, 11(4), 2722–2251. https://doi.org/10.35335/legal
Hadikusuma, H. (2017). Pengantar Ilmu Hukum Adat Indonesia. Edisi Revisi. Bandung: Mandar Maju.
Ismail, D. E., Arsyad, Y., Ahmad, Nggilu, N. M., & Chami, Y. (2024). Collocation of Restorative Justice with Human Rights in Indonesia. Legality: Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum, 32(2), 394–417. https://doi.org/10.22219/ljih.v32i2.35374
Johnstone, G., & Van Ness, D. W. (2020). The meaning of restorative justice. In G. Johnstone & D. W. Van Ness (Eds.), Handbook of Restorative Justice (2nd ed., pp. 5-23). London: Routledge.
Lasmadi, S., Sari, R. K., & Disemadi, H. S. (2020). Restorative Justice Approach as an Alternative Companion of the Criminal Justice System in Indonesia. 140(Icleh), 206–209. https://doi.org/10.2991/aebmr.k.200513.044
Marder, I. D. (2022). Mapping restorative justice and restorative practices in criminal justice in the Republic of Ireland. International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice, 70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlcj.2022.100544
Marlina, & Mulyadi, M. (2024). Building restorative justice in Gampong as a bottom-up legitimisation of the protection of children in conflict with the law in Indonesia: case study in Aceh. Cogent Social Sciences, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2024.2347410
Marlina, M. (2019). Implementasi diversi dan keadilan restoratif dalam sistem peradilan pidana anak di Indonesia. Jurnal Hukum dan Peradilan, 8(2), 177-194. https://doi.org/10.25216/jhp.8.2.2019.177-194
Mashendra, M., Ibrahim, K. M., Salam, S., Nurcahyo, E., & Chatimah, N. A. (2024). Study of the Implementation Restoration Concept in the Criminal Justice System in Indonesia. Sasi, 30(4), 339. https://doi.org/10.47268/sasi.v30i4.1888
Mubihanti, P. I. (2025). Restorative Justice As An Alternative Form Of Criminal Case Resolution. Fox Justi : Jurnal Ilmu Hukum, 15(02), 275. https://doi.org/10.58471/justi.v15i02
Nascimento, A. M., Andrade, J., & de Castro Rodrigues, A. (2023). The Psychological Impact of Restorative Justice Practices on Victims of Crimes—a Systematic Review. In Trauma, Violence, and Abuse (Vol. 24, Issue 3). https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380221082085
Pedju, R. P., Muhammad, A. A., Burhan, P. A., & Dzulqarnain, A. (2025). Progressive Law Perspective: Analysis of Restorative Justice in National Criminal Code. Amsir Law Journal, 6(2), 68–83. https://doi.org/10.36746/alj.v6i2.634
Rahardjo, G., Perbawa, K. S. L. P., Permadhi, P. L. O., & Suharyanti, N. P. N. (2024). Alternative Punishment Based on Restorative Justice to Reduce the Overcapacity of Indonesian Community Institutions. Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences, 22(1), 5241–5247. https://doi.org/10.57239/PJLSS-2024-22.1.00386
Riyadi, P. (2024). Reconstruction of Restorative Justice Regulations Within the Indonesian Penal System Post-Law No. 1 of 2023. Peradaban Journal of Law and Society, 3(2), 154–167. https://doi.org/10.59001/pjls.v3i2.241
Saefudin, W., & Aminah, S. (2021). Restorative Justice for Juvenile Offenders in Indonesia : A Study of Psychological Perspective and Islamic Law Keadilan Restoratif dalam Penanganan Anak Pelaku Tindak Pidana di Indonesia : Kajian Psikologi dan Hukum Islam. Journal of Islamic Law (JIL), 2(2), 168–196. https://doi.org/10.24260/jil.v
Saragih, T. S. (2021). Criminal Justice System Based on The Concept Ofrestorative Justice. Legal Brief, 11(1), 131–138.
Sherman, L. W., & Strang, H. (2017). Restorative justice: The evidence. London: Smith Institute.
Sirait, T. Y., & Cahyaningtyas, I. (2019). Restorative Justice Approach in the Settlement of Children’S Cases in Indonesia. Legality: Jurnal Ilmiah Hukum, 27(2), 232–241. https://doi.org/10.22219/jihl.v27i2.10160
Sukardi, S., & Purnama, H. R. (2022). RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRINCIPLES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND DEMOCRACY IN INDONESIA. Journal of Indonesian Legal Studies, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.15294/jils.v7i1.53057
Supriansa, Rahman, S., Abbas, I., & Djanggih, H. (2024). the Essence of Restorative Justice in the Development of Indonesian Law. Revista de Gestao Social e Ambiental, 18(8), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n8-025
Suzuki, M. (2023). Victim Recovery in Restorative Justice: A Theoretical Framework. In Criminal Justice and Behavior (Vol. 50, Issue 12). https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548231206828
Syarifuddin, S., Purba, I. G., & Putra, P. S. (2024). Implementation of Restorative Justice in Settlement of Criminal Actions in the Criminal System in Indonesia. Jurnal Akta, 11(1), 106. https://doi.org/10.30659/akta.v11i1.34516
Umbreit, M., Armour, M. P., & Chatman, L. (2021). Restorative justice and dialogue: Impact, opportunities, and challenges in the global community. Contemporary Justice Review, 24(4), 415-431. https://doi.org/10.1080/10282580.2021.1976195
Wangga, M. S. E. (2022). Implementation of Restorative Justice in Criminal Cases in Indonesia. Law and Humanities Quarterly Reviews, 1(3), 109–115. https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1996.01.03.25
Wood, W. R., & Suzuki, M. (2016). Four challenges in the future of restorative justice. Victims & Offenders, 11(1), 149-172. https://doi.org/10.1080/15564886.2016.1145610
Zehr, H. (2019). The Little Book of Restorative Justice: Revised and Updated. 3rd Edition. New York: Good Books.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Cecilia Rudolf Valentino
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
