01/03/2022
Significant Growth Of Restorative Justice In NI
NI's Justice Minister Naomi Long has announced the launch of a Review of the 2007 Protocol, which governs the work of Community Based Restorative Justice (CBRJ) organisations.
The review will be taken forward by an independent three-person panel consisting of Professor Tim Chapman, Dr Neil Jarman and Judith Gillespie, all of whom have a wealth of knowledge in respect of the criminal justice system and community based restorative practice. It will be a 3 month review commencing on 28 February 2022 until 31 May 2022.
Minister Long said: "In recent years, we have seen significant growth in the use of restorative practices in Northern Ireland – both within the criminal justice system and beyond it. This growth has been driven by the desire to better meet the needs of victims of crime and to provide redress for the harm caused to them, as well as to find an effective alternative to punitive responses and establish positive ways of dealing with children, young people and adults when incidents occur.
"The current protocol governing the work of community based restorative justice organisations in Northern Ireland is over 14 years old and the time is right to reflect on the delivery of restorative practice over this period, to build on the positive work that has been undertaken by community based organisations and put in place a revised protocol to help support the further growth of restorative practises over the next decade."
The Minister added: "I am extremely grateful to former Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie, Dr Neil Jarman, and Professor Tim Chapman for agreeing to take this review forward. Between them they will bring a wealth of much needed knowledge and expertise to this very important piece of work."
The review will be taken forward by an independent three-person panel consisting of Professor Tim Chapman, Dr Neil Jarman and Judith Gillespie, all of whom have a wealth of knowledge in respect of the criminal justice system and community based restorative practice. It will be a 3 month review commencing on 28 February 2022 until 31 May 2022.
Minister Long said: "In recent years, we have seen significant growth in the use of restorative practices in Northern Ireland – both within the criminal justice system and beyond it. This growth has been driven by the desire to better meet the needs of victims of crime and to provide redress for the harm caused to them, as well as to find an effective alternative to punitive responses and establish positive ways of dealing with children, young people and adults when incidents occur.
"The current protocol governing the work of community based restorative justice organisations in Northern Ireland is over 14 years old and the time is right to reflect on the delivery of restorative practice over this period, to build on the positive work that has been undertaken by community based organisations and put in place a revised protocol to help support the further growth of restorative practises over the next decade."
The Minister added: "I am extremely grateful to former Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie, Dr Neil Jarman, and Professor Tim Chapman for agreeing to take this review forward. Between them they will bring a wealth of much needed knowledge and expertise to this very important piece of work."
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02 November 2005
Ministers assure no 'two-tier' justice system
Secretary of State Peter Hain has given an "absolute assurance" that community restorative justice schemes will not become an alternative to policing. Speaking after a meeting with the Policing Board in Belfast on Tuesday Mr Hain said he wanted to "nail the rumour" that community restorative justice was some kind of alternative to policing".
Ministers assure no 'two-tier' justice system
Secretary of State Peter Hain has given an "absolute assurance" that community restorative justice schemes will not become an alternative to policing. Speaking after a meeting with the Policing Board in Belfast on Tuesday Mr Hain said he wanted to "nail the rumour" that community restorative justice was some kind of alternative to policing".
21 July 2023
DoJ Publishes New Protocol For Delivery Of Restorative Justice
A new Protocol for the delivery of restorative justice in Northern Ireland has been published by the Department of Justice (DoJ). The new 2023 Protocol will govern the use of restorative interventions in the criminal justice system in NI and details how a new accreditation process will work for organisations and individuals.
DoJ Publishes New Protocol For Delivery Of Restorative Justice
A new Protocol for the delivery of restorative justice in Northern Ireland has been published by the Department of Justice (DoJ). The new 2023 Protocol will govern the use of restorative interventions in the criminal justice system in NI and details how a new accreditation process will work for organisations and individuals.
10 September 2024
Naomi Long Highlights Benefits Of Restorative Justice
Restorative justice can bring transformational change and healing for victims, perpetrators and communities across the criminal justice spectrum, Naomi Long has told the second Restorative Justice Council Conference.
Naomi Long Highlights Benefits Of Restorative Justice
Restorative justice can bring transformational change and healing for victims, perpetrators and communities across the criminal justice spectrum, Naomi Long has told the second Restorative Justice Council Conference.
03 May 2007
Restorative justice schemes backed
The government should fund four loyalist restorative justice schemes, the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice has said. Kit Chivers, the Criminal Justice inspector has said there was no evidence the schemes were a front for paramilitary activity.
Restorative justice schemes backed
The government should fund four loyalist restorative justice schemes, the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice has said. Kit Chivers, the Criminal Justice inspector has said there was no evidence the schemes were a front for paramilitary activity.
27 February 2023
New Draft Protocol For Restorative Justice Published
A new draft protocol governing the use of restorative interventions in the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland, has been published by the Department of Justice. A review of the 2007 protocol was launched last year by the then Justice Minister, Naomi Long, with the overall aim of improving outcomes for victims, communities and defendants.
New Draft Protocol For Restorative Justice Published
A new draft protocol governing the use of restorative interventions in the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland, has been published by the Department of Justice. A review of the 2007 protocol was launched last year by the then Justice Minister, Naomi Long, with the overall aim of improving outcomes for victims, communities and defendants.