Providing a critical perspective on the aspirations of advocates of restorative justice and the direction in which restorative justice is developing, this book offers an empirically researched contribution to theoretical debates. Drawing on qualitative research, the book examines the significant gaps that exist between the ideals of proponents of restorative justice and the objectives being pursued in practice. The work examines ways forward for the restorative justice movement - and the development of practices - with a coherent set of restorative justice ideals.