What do reparation boards clarify regarding the offender?

Reparation boards primarily focus on identifying strategies that can help reduce future offending. This approach emphasizes rehabilitation rather than punishment, aligning with restorative justice principles. By engaging both the offender and the community, reparation boards encourage dialogue and understanding around the reasons behind the offending behavior, which can lead to the development of specific interventions or support systems designed to prevent recidivism.

This proactive stance enhances community safety and supports the offender's reintegration into society. While concepts like seeking restitution or addressing feelings of grief may also play roles in broader contexts of restorative justice, the primary aim of reparation boards is to create actionable plans that address the underlying issues contributing to criminal behavior.