New Leaf Trust - Restorative Conferencing
Restorative justice is based upon ... three pillars.
Firstly it understands that crime causes harm to people and the communities that they live in and so it begins with a concern for the victim and what they need. Restorative justice seeks to repair this harm in a way that is helpful to the victim and those around them.
Secondly it encourages offenders to understand the harm they have caused through emphasising their accountability and responsibility. Through this the offender has a responsibility to repair that harm in some way.
Thirdly restorative justice encourages the participation of the wider community in the role of delivering justice; justice that is helpful to all of those involved and affected (Zehr 2002).
A restorative conference is ... all about relationships and attempts to repair the relationships that have been broken in the community. It is a chance for each party to put their side across and to encourage a sharing of experiences (including their emotions) so that the offender and community can take responsibility and repair the harm.
A conference is held between ... the offender, the victim and the members of the community who have been affected. Both the victim and offender can be supported by their family members as well as other relevant parties, such as school teachers or police officers.
At the conference ... the facilitator will work through a script that is the same for every conference, asking questions to determine what happened (the offence) and the effects of this on all parties present. The conference should end with a summary of what has been learnt and what needs to be done to repair the harm, as much as is possible.
A restorative conference takes place ... when all parties are ready and willing; when they can understand the situation and wish to work it through. It is voluntary.
A facilitator in a restorative conference ... is neutral and follows a script that promotes a similar process for every conference. They facilitate a safe environment for all of those involved by encouraging dialogue and monitoring the process. The facilitator prepares the meeting and makes sure the meeting runs smoothly, building up trust in order to relieve anxiety in what can be a difficult process. They allow people to have a voice and be listened to with dignity and respect.
A facilitator is not ... there to suggest solutions or to find out new facts about the offence. They are not there to counsel or act as an advocate for parties.
Restorative conferencing is worth it because ... it helps communities and the members of that community feel a sense of belonging. It gives the offender a chance to take responsibility and make amends and the victim an opportunity to hear an apology and attempt to make sense of their experience. As a facilitator you will be able to see this process in action and encourage the people at the conference to have their voices heard.
Research suggests ... that restorative justice substantially reduces repeat offending for some offenders, reduced crime victims’ post-traumatic stress symptoms, provides both victims and offenders with more satisfaction with justice than traditional criminal justice and reduces recidivism more than prison (Sherman and Strang 2007).
Those who use restorative conferences are ... people who have been victims to crime where guilt has been established and the offenders are willing to participate in the conference.
Facilitators of restorative conferences are ... anybody who is willing to apply and commit to formal training. There are no qualifications needed to be able to act as a facilitator.
“This is the kind of evidence-based approach we should be taking,” he said. “It’s all about repairing the harm, and turning victims into survivors.”
“Victims who are traumatized by a crime are given significant relief as a result of a two-hour conference in which they face their offender and really conquer their fear and anger,”
Dr. Paul McCold (IIRP professor)
If you feel that you want to get involved ... contact us on the details below.
Zehr, H. (2002) The Little Book of Restorative Justice, USA: Good Books.
August 15 2006 www.iirp.org
Sherman, L.W., Strang, H. (2007) Restorative justice: the evidence, London: The Smith Institute.
You can contact us on:
Dr Dan Grant - Chief Executive dan.grant@newleaftrust.co.uk
Geoff Wilkinson – Business Director geoff.wilkinson@newleaftrust.co.uk
Bob Croft - Project Manager bob.croft@newleaftrust.co.uk
Katy Macvay – Director of Volunteering katy.macvay@newleaftrust.co.uk
The Company address is: New Leaf Trust, PO Box 330, Scunthorpe, DN15 5BT.