-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Restorative Justice
-
Restorative Justice
Restorative Justice places the victim at the centre of any harmful event and works to resolve conflict and repair that harm. It encourages those who have caused harm to acknowledge the impact of what they have done and gives them an opportunity to make reparation. It offers those who have suffered harm the opportunity to have their harm or loss acknowledged and amends made.
Restorative Justice has been practiced in Guernsey for a number of years, mainly as part of the Youth Cautioning Scheme. It has been used in the community and in the Prison with adult offenders (after they have been sentenced by a Court) and victims, sometimes involving very serious offences. Additionally restorative justice has been used in schools to deal with conflict between pupils.
Restorative Justice methods
Victim/Offender Mediation:
This process provides an opportunity for victims and offenders to engage in a process of communication with each other. Such mediation may take place face-to-face with a neutral facilitator or could be an indirect process where the facilitator acts as an intermediary. In both cases the aim is to allow those involved to come to some agreement with or without a direct meeting.
Scripted Restorative Conference:
Such conferences focus upon the offence, the impact of that action on others, and what can be done to repair the harm that was caused. These conferences are run according to a script of pre-determined questions by trained facilitators. Again, these facilitators act as intermediates and are not involved to determine the outcome of the conference.
Community Conferencing
Where a wide group of people have been affected by an incident or situation a community conference can be utilised to embark on addressing problems of anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood disputes. Participants might include victims, offenders, supporters, residents and professional agencies.
Family Group Conferencing
In this case trained and experienced facilitators will arrange a meeting that brings together a young person, immediate family or carers, relevant professionals and any supporters. All are given an opportunity to give an account of the particular incident that has occurred, along with their feelings and views. Time is then given to formulating a plan to bring about reparation to the victim that will also reflect the concerns and opinions of the professionals involved.
Restorative Justice Development Officer
Restorative Justice Development Officer, The Market Buildings, Fountain Street, St Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1BX, Channel IslandsTel: +44 1481 724337 Fax: +44 1481 710545
Email: paul.chambers@gov.gg
