28/07/2011
Restorative Justice Helps Repair Harm
Lord McNally has said restorative justice was 'not a soft option', after visiting a probation trust and a prison in Norwich to see how offenders there are being made to face up to their crimes.
Restorative justice allows a victim of a crime and the offender to meet face-to-face, enabling both of them to play a part in finding a positive way forward. The practice, already being used across England and Wales, can empower victims and communities to come to terms with their trauma and may also help to reduce crime by making offenders understand the impact of their actions.
Lord McNally said the government would work with Youth Offending Teams and Probation and Prison Services to set out guidance and minimum standards for developing more and better restorative justice practices.
Speaking afterwards at the Norfolk Ecumenical Criminal Justice Forum, Lord McNally said: “Offenders find the process demanding and tough. We require offenders to take an active role in repairing harm, acknowledging the impact of what they've done and facing up to the consequences.”
He added: “We also want to work with sentencers to improve the advice they get about how they might take restorative justice into consideration in court, through pre-sentence reports and victim personal statements.”
(BMcN/GK)
Restorative justice allows a victim of a crime and the offender to meet face-to-face, enabling both of them to play a part in finding a positive way forward. The practice, already being used across England and Wales, can empower victims and communities to come to terms with their trauma and may also help to reduce crime by making offenders understand the impact of their actions.
Lord McNally said the government would work with Youth Offending Teams and Probation and Prison Services to set out guidance and minimum standards for developing more and better restorative justice practices.
Speaking afterwards at the Norfolk Ecumenical Criminal Justice Forum, Lord McNally said: “Offenders find the process demanding and tough. We require offenders to take an active role in repairing harm, acknowledging the impact of what they've done and facing up to the consequences.”
He added: “We also want to work with sentencers to improve the advice they get about how they might take restorative justice into consideration in court, through pre-sentence reports and victim personal statements.”
(BMcN/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 July 2003
Restorative justice will see more criminals face their victims
Proposals to extend the way that restorative justice is used could see more victims of crime, anti-social behaviour and school bullying face those who offended against them, the Home Secretary has announced today. The scheme is currently used with young offenders, but the proposals published today are set to extend its remit.
Restorative justice will see more criminals face their victims
Proposals to extend the way that restorative justice is used could see more victims of crime, anti-social behaviour and school bullying face those who offended against them, the Home Secretary has announced today. The scheme is currently used with young offenders, but the proposals published today are set to extend its remit.
25 March 2004
Government to pilot restorative justice scheme
Restorative justice – a new way of dealing with offenders to make them accountable for their crimes and involve their victims in how they repair damage caused – will be tested in a pilot scheme, the Home Office has announced today.
Government to pilot restorative justice scheme
Restorative justice – a new way of dealing with offenders to make them accountable for their crimes and involve their victims in how they repair damage caused – will be tested in a pilot scheme, the Home Office has announced today.
26 October 2004
Blair recognises 'dedication' of Criminal Justice staff
Frontline staff and volunteers from the Criminal Justice System have been recognised for their efforts by the Prime Minister today. The 10 winners, for five individual awards and five team awards, were chosen from over 400 nominations and 30 finalists.
Blair recognises 'dedication' of Criminal Justice staff
Frontline staff and volunteers from the Criminal Justice System have been recognised for their efforts by the Prime Minister today. The 10 winners, for five individual awards and five team awards, were chosen from over 400 nominations and 30 finalists.
27 July 2004
Teenagers and beggars to face drugs testing
Teenagers and beggars who are charged with drug-related crimes are to be tested for class A drugs, the Home Office has announced today. Fourteen to 17-year-olds who are charged for a 'trigger offence', such as burglary, car crime and theft, will be tested for heroin, crack and cocaine.
Teenagers and beggars to face drugs testing
Teenagers and beggars who are charged with drug-related crimes are to be tested for class A drugs, the Home Office has announced today. Fourteen to 17-year-olds who are charged for a 'trigger offence', such as burglary, car crime and theft, will be tested for heroin, crack and cocaine.
30 March 2010
First Victims' Commissioner Appointed
Louise Casey has been appointed as the UK's first independent Victims' Commissioner, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today. Today's announcement comes as part of a package of reforms designed to improve the support and services available to victims and witnesses.
First Victims' Commissioner Appointed
Louise Casey has been appointed as the UK's first independent Victims' Commissioner, Justice Secretary Jack Straw announced today. Today's announcement comes as part of a package of reforms designed to improve the support and services available to victims and witnesses.