RESOTORATIVE JUSTICE

Question 1

What is the aim of restorative justice?

Answer 1

The aim of restorative justice is to help rebuild relationships between the offender, the victim, their family and the community at large.

Question 2

Restorative justice programmes

Answer 2

It is a programme which attempts to improve the experience for the victim as well as encouraging the offender to take responsibility for their crime.
A supervised meeting between the 2 parties is arranged and managed by a trained mediator
The victim is given the opportunity to explain how the incident affected them – and important part of the rehabilitative process.

Question 3

Key features of the programme

Answer 3

Focus on acceptance / responsibility
Non court room setting where offenders voluntarily choose to meet face to face with victim
Active rather than passive involvement of all parties
Focus on positive outcomes for survivors and offenders
Can be face to face or a video link

Question 4

How to ensure restorative justice programmes are effective

Answer 4

In order for restorative justice programmes to be fully effective, engagement is required from the offender, victim and community. As this can sometimes hinder the progress of the programme, different techniques are used in order to help bring about restorative justice, including: face to face meetings, mediation and indirect mediation

Question 5

Face-to-face meetings

Answer 5

as it sounds, this is where meetings between the offender and victim take place.

Question 6

Mediation

Answer 6

involves a meeting between the offender and victim, but they are accompanied by a trained mediator. The job of the mediator is to help manage their discussions and offer support.

Question 7

Indirect mediation

Answer 7

in this case, the offender and victim do not meet face-to-face (perhaps initially), but their communication is passed to each other via a mediator.

Question 8

When may restorative justice occur?

Answer 8

• pretrial (offender’s involvement may be considered during sentencing)
• alongside a prison sentence or as an alternative to prison

Question 9

Restitution

Answer 9

An offender may make some financial retitution to the survivor which may reflect the psychological damage caused or the actual physical damage - break in etc.
Restitution can also be in an emotional sense e.g. offender may support the healing process by rebuilding the survivor’s confidence or self esteem.

Question 10

What is the Restorative Justice Council?

Answer 10

The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) is an independent body who role is to establish clear standards for the use of restorative justice and to support victims and specialist professionals in the field. They work to prevent and manage conflicts in schools, workplaces, prisons etc.