The author describes the problem formulation that is the focus of writing this thesis, namely: first, what is the definition or understanding of restorative justice that should be applied in the criminal justice system in Indonesia? Second, how can restorative justice be an alternative for handling overcrowding in correctional institutions? So starting from the problem formulation, this research has the following objectives, namely: first, to find out what is meant by restorative justice and namely to find out how restorative policies conform to applicable legal principles. Second, knowing and understanding how restorative justice can help deal with the problem of overcrowding in correctional institutions. The author applies normative research methods through a legislative approach, the main point of the study is law which is conceptualized as norms or rules that apply in society and become a reference for everyone's behavior. Normative legal research focuses on positive legal inventory, legal principles and doctrine, legal discovery in concert, legal systematics, synchronization levels, legal comparison and legal history
The research results show that first, the meaning of restorative justice is an alternative case resolution with a mechanism that focuses on punishment which is transformed into a dialogue and mediation process involving all related parties. The basic principle of restorative justice is that there is restoration for victims who suffer as a result of crime by providing compensation to the victim, peace, the perpetrator carrying out social work or other agreements. Improving correctional services in the implementation of restorative justice aims, firstly, to reduce overcrowding in prisons and detention centers, secondly to reduce the recidivism of criminals, thirdly to reduce the accumulation of criminal cases, fourthly to improve the quality of training for correctional inmates, fifthly to increase alternatives to punishment and finally sixthly to increase the role of the community by involving them. in the correctional agenda through the formation of community groups caring for correctional institutions