Analysis of restorative justice as an alternative to the traditional penal system in Latin America

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Mendoza-Armijos, Hugo Enrique
Camacho-Medina, Byron Manuel
García-Segarra, Holger Geovanny

Abstract

This article analyzes restorative justice as an alternative to the traditional penal system in Latin America, starting from a context characterized by punitive inefficiency, prison overcrowding and poor resocialization of the offender. Through a systematic review of scientific literature indexed in databases such as Scopus and Web of Science, empirical studies, regulatory frameworks and practical experiences in countries of the region were examined. The results show unequal progress in regulatory implementation, with greater emphasis on juvenile justice, and limited coverage in ordinary criminal justice. Colombia and Chile stand out for their legislative frameworks and pilot programs, although their scope is restricted to cases of low gravity. Institutional barriers -such as the resistance of the judicial system, lack of specialized training and scarce regulatory support- as well as sociocultural factors such as the punitive view of justice, limit the consolidation of the restorative approach. The study concludes that, despite the difficulties, restorative justice has a significant transformative potential, especially if it is articulated with community and intercultural practices. For its consolidation, political will, comprehensive reforms, professional training and a cultural shift towards reparation and dialogue are required.

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Author Biographies

Mendoza-Armijos, Hugo Enrique, Instituto Superior Tecnológico Los Andes

Ecuadorian, graduate degree from the International University of La Rioja-Spain of the Master in Management and Business Administration (MBA), has the pre-graduate degrees of Lawyer of the Courts and Tribunals of the Republic of Ecuador, (2008), Universidad Técnica Luis Vargas Torres and Bachelor of Science in Education Mention Commerce and Administration (2005) by the Central University of Ecuador, certifications of the National System of Qualifications and Personal Training in: Teaching Activities in Project Based Learning Methodology ABP; and Training of Trainers. His professional career began in the public sector as Chief Lawyer and Legal Advisor of the Ministry of Housing (MIDUVI), District Analyst of Legal Counsel of the Education District 23D02, he has worked as a teacher both at middle and high level, in the Santo Domingo de los Colorados Educational Unit, Villa Florida Educational Unit. At the higher level in the Atlantic Technological Institutes (2008 - 2012) Itesut (2011- 2012); Professor of the Molina, Muñoz, Romero & Asociados Driving School (2013-2018). He currently serves as Rector of the Instituto Superior Tecnológico Los Andes. In the private sector he works as Legal Advisor of the company Megainfi, and partner of Bufette Jurídico Empresarial D&D Asociados, practicing law in free practice.

Camacho-Medina, Byron Manuel, Investigador Independiente

Graduated from the National University of Loja, obtaining the title of Lawyer of the Courts of the Republic of Ecuador, he has worked in the judicial field, starting as an intern, analyst of citations and notifications, judicial assistant, assistant prosecutor, secretary of the prosecutor's office, secretary of the Provincial Electoral Board of Orellana, Legal Analyst of the MTOP in Orellana, Director of the Comptroller's Office in Sucumbíos and currently Provincial Director of Orellana.

García-Segarra, Holger Geovanny, Universidad Bolivariana del Ecuador

Lawyer of the Courts and Tribunals of the Republic of Ecuador, Universidad de Guayaquil del Ecuador. Master in Procedural Law from Universidad Tecnológica ECOTEC. Currently he is the Coordinator of the Master's Degree in Procedural Law at the Universidad Bolivariana del Ecuador.

How to Cite

Mendoza-Armijos, H. E., Camacho-Medina, B. M., & García-Segarra, H. G. (2023). Analysis of restorative justice as an alternative to the traditional penal system in Latin America. Scientific Journal Science and Method, 1(3), 58-69. https://doi.org/10.55813/gaea/rcym/v1/n3/20

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