Restorative Justice

What is Restorative Justice?

“Restorative justice gives victims the chance to meet or communicate with their offender to explain the real impact of the crime – it empowers victims by giving them a voice. It also holds offenders to account for what they have done and helps them to take responsibility and make amends. Restorative justice often involves a conference, where a victim meets their offender face to face. Sometimes, when a face to face meeting is not the best way forward, the victim and offender will communicate via letters, recorded interviews or video instead.” Restorative Justice Council

Restorative Justice (RJ) is a diversionary process available to all victims under the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime (Victim’s Code) and can be part of Conditional Cautioning. Research has shown it has a positive impact on reducing reoffending.

Types of RJ in England and Wales include:

• Direct or indirect restorative justice processes (the victim and offender, guided by a facilitator, communicate with one another).
• Community conferencing (such as to resolve anti-social behaviour).
• Referral Order panels (young people attend a panel with Youth Offending Team staff and community volunteers to discuss their offending).
• Mediation (supports people in dispute to work out an agreement).

The Restorative Justice All-Party Parliamentary Group was formed in April 2021 to drive forward cross-party conversations on restorative justice and raise awareness about its principles.