The purpose of the handbook is to provide a brief introduction to the concepts and principles of restorative justice as a starting point for broad international discussion. The handbook starts out by noting research showing that restorative justice models and programs have produced several benefits: high level of victim satisfaction, victim and offender perceptions of fairness, the completion of restitution by offenders, reduced fear among victims, strong support from criminal justice personnel, and favorable recidivism rates. The handbook includes a brief definition of restorative justice, elaborates on the fundamental principles of restorative justice, and provides a lexicon of restorative justice terminology. The handbook also identifies some of the resources available to those interested in obtaining more information on restorative justice programs and practices and indicates agencies and individuals who provide models of restorative justice programs. Members of the Alliance of Non-Governmental Organizations on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, the organization responsible for the handbook's preparation, are listed.