Define the term "restorative justice."

Restorative justice refers to an approach focused on addressing and repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior, rather than merely punishing the offender. This method emphasizes reconciliation between victims and offenders, and often involves bringing together all parties affected by the crime to discuss the impact and work toward solutions that allow for healing. It seeks to empower victims, provide offenders with the opportunity to take responsibility for their actions, and foster a sense of community involvement in the justice process. This holistic approach contrasts with traditional punitive systems that primarily focus on punishment rather than repair and healing.

The other options do not accurately reflect the core principles of restorative justice. While punitive punishment is a hallmark of conventional justice systems, restorative justice prioritizes healing over punishment. Similarly, restoring law and order does not capture the essence of reconciling relationships and repairing harm. Lastly, enhancing officer-community relations, while important, does not encompass the broader aims of restorative justice, which includes addressing the needs of victims and the community as a whole.