November 17 to 24 is restorative justice week, says the Ministry of Justice (MoJ). The Government has launched a public information video to help raise awareness of restorative justice and what’s involved.
Making the case for it, the Ministry of Justice says restorative justice brings those harmed by crime or conflict, and those responsible for the harm, into communication. It enables everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward.
For an MoJ booklet including case studies click here.
Justice Minister Damian Green said: “Many victims of crime get to see sentences handed down in the courts, but it’s not always enough to help them move on with their lives. Restorative Justice gives victims the opportunity to look offenders in the eye and explain to them the real impact the crime has had on their life. The process also provides a chance for offenders to face the consequences of their actions. Restorative Justice is not a soft option and will not lead to offenders escaping punishment. Crimes of a serious nature will continue to be progressed through the courts. Research shows that Restorative Justice is associated with high levels of victim satisfaction and can also help reduce reoffending by offenders.”
As part of Restorative Justice Week last year, an ‘Action Plan’ was published to help bring about a step change in the delivery and provision of Restorative Justice across England and Wales. The Ministry of Justice is publishing a progress report one year on.
The Ministry of Justice has also announced that the Restorative Justice Council will develop key Restorative Justice service standards for training, practice and supervision, as well an accreditation framework. These will be available by January 2014.
Victim Support lead on Restorative Justice, Gaynor McKeown said: “We welcome the Government’s commitment to fund Restorative Justice. Victims tell us that they want to see offenders punished, but also they don’t want to see their offender commit another crime. Our work shows that when Restorative Justice is planned around the victim’s wishes, it helps them move on with their lives, and can reduce crime by getting offenders to appreciate the impact of their actions on others. We look forward to working closely with our partners to ensure Restorative Justice services meet the needs of victims and can be accessed where and when they want them.”
