Restorative justice is a long-standing approach to dealing with the difficulties of creating a balance between the concerns of victims and their communities and the need to find an effective way of reintegrating offenders into society. The approach is now being practised more widely in our criminal justice system, particularly in the field of youth justice.

WHAT?

Restorative justice encompasses a number of different practices or processes, the most widely known are listed below.

Victim/offender mediation is a process in which an impartial and independent third party helps both victim and offender to communicate either directly or indirectly in an attempt to create a greater understanding between the parties that might ultimately lead to some form of tangible reparation.

Reparation is an action undertaken by the offender in an attempt to put right the damage done by the offence. This reparation might be directly to the victim; it might however take the form of service to the wider community.

Victim/offender conferencing follows the same principles as victim/offender mediation but has a wider group of participants, bringing in families from both parties and in some cases members of the wider community with some relevance to the situation.

WHO?

There are a number of opportunities for getting involved as a volunteer in restorative justice, both as an individual and as a member of a larger organisation such as a church or a Justice and Peace, Social Concerns or Community Justice group. Volunteers will need commitment, understanding, common sense and an ability to relate to a wide variety of people and situations.

HOW?

You might consider training as a mediator or maybe you could get involved in one of the many projects that are springing up across the country both in the community and in custodial establishments. Details of organisation involved in restorative justice can be found in the resources page.