RESTORATIVE JUSTICE AND PUBLIC TRUST

This writing reviews the existing literature to examine the potential impact of Restorative Justice (RJ) on public trust in the criminal justice system. While restorative justice is widely acknowledged for its ability to reduce reoffending, improve victim satisfaction, and foster reconciliation, its role in enhancing institutional trust remains underexplored, particularly in the context of transitional legal systems such as Indonesia. The review highlights theoretical arguments and empirical findings suggesting that RJ processes promote fairness, accountability, and community involvement, which in turn can strengthen public perceptions of justice and legitimacy. However, most existing studies focus on individual-level outcomes and rarely assess trust as a primary dependent variable. This writing argues for a more explicit research agenda to investigate the trust-building potential of RJ, especially within Indonesia’s evolving criminal justice landscape. Future studies should incorporate culturally relevant indicators of trust and consider integrating RJ into policy frameworks that aim to increase public confidence in legal institutions.