Forms of restorative justice existed in early societies that lacked leaders or governments and also in early societies that had governments. In contrast, penal law, the often-destructive retributive answer to crime, and the failed rehabilitative efforts have all been fairly new approaches to crime control. Currently, the family group conferences of New Zealand and other forms of conflict resolution as practiced by indigenous people appear to be the most promising approaches to restorative justice. These approaches stem from a long tradition. The advantages of such programs lie in their healing power for all involved people, as well as the participation of the enlarged family, the social group, and the community. 82 references