Can forgiveness play a role in criminal justice?

After reading about restorative justice in the context of the heartbreaking tragedy that is the death of Ann Marie Grosmaire, I think that the idea of bringing forgiveness into the criminal justice system is very beneficial. I don't really think that restorative justice can quite be an alternative to the current justice system, but I think that the two should be used simultaneously and collaboratively. I think it's very possible and realistic to say that someday restorative justice will be a term that is widely known and a concept that is used daily. If people could use restorative justice instead of dehumanizing people, our world would be so much more forgiving, loving, and understanding. I think that restorative justice is very pertinent to Catholic Social Teaching, but I think it can easily be applied to many situations in life. Such an outlook could affect everyone's lives and make people more forgiving and compassionate--before bad things happen, not just after. Moreover, people would think more before they act because they would see situations from many perspectives. Overall, I think that applying restorative justice to the criminal justice system and life in general would be exceptionally valuable to society.