United Kingdom
Film: Restorative Justice Success Story in UK
"Peter Woolf was a prolific offender, ensconced in a world of violence and depravity, who, by his own reckoning committed about 20000 crimes. Then he burgled a house, fought with his victim and ended up in prison yet again. This time though it was different. Peter met with his victim, Will, in a restorative justice session that took place in the prison. The meeting changed both their lives for ever. Peter and Will tell their stories in this film which coincides with the launch of Peter’s book, The Damage Done published by Bantum Press and the launch of Why me? founded by Will, a campaign group set up by and for victims of crime who have benefited from restorative justice and want others to be able to benefit from the same opportunity."
For the video, see: http://rice.1x.net/?p=29718
BB Gun Matter Resolved in Restorative Justice
Editor's Note: As we look at the big issues in this movement, let's never forget the application of it in very personal ways.
From the Burnham and High Bridge Weekly News, United Kingdom
* By James Beal » http://www.burnhamandhighbridgeweeklynews.co.uk/news/8188328.Exclusive__...
THE 14-year-old suspect accused of shooting a boy in the face with a BB gun in a Highbridge park has been dealt with by means of restorative justice, police said today.
The teenager was called into Burnham police station yesterday and met his victim for face-to-face talks about the incident, in Apex Park on Saturday evening. Burnham Neighbourhood Police Insp Roger Tolley told the Weekly News: “They discussed the matter and the effects of what happened and what could have happened.
“It makes people recognise and understand what their actions could have caused.
UK Coalition Tackles Justice Policy without Rhetoric
Coalition can break from failed justice policyAbandoning the obsessive concentration on increasing prison capacity will allow the government to restructure justice system
What strikes you most about the new justice policy outlined in the coalition programme for government is the absence of rhetoric. The new watchwords are moderation, common sense and effectiveness. As an example: everyone knows that drugs and drink fuel crime and antisocial behaviour – so let's deal with addictions and binge-drinking in a way that reduces harm and cuts costs. The coalition government appears to be taking the opportunity to break with the failed legacy of vacuous prison-building and instead concentrate on what works in justice policy.
Restorative Justice for Environmental Issues?
Excerpt:
This is an edited extract from a speech given by Polly Higgins, who is a barrister and UK Associate of EnAct International at the United Nations UK Climate Change Conference
Victims to meet their offenders face to face
Excerpt: VICTIMS are getting chance to come face to face with offenders under a new scheme in Kirklees.
The scheme – Restorative Justice – is up and running across the district and is proving a success.
It aims to make offenders hear directly about the how their crime affected victims’ lives.
Victims will also have chance to ask questions and offenders will have the opportunity to explain why their committed the crime and be given chance to repair the harm done.
Fewer Children Turn to Crime
http://www.heraldseries.co.uk/news/4410695.Fewer_children_turn_to_crime/
Excerpt: The amount of crime committed by children and teenagers in Oxfordshire has fallen by 20 per cent in two years.
Youth workers have hailed the success of schemes such as restorative justice where young tearaways meet their victims to see the consequences of their crimes.
UK Ministry of Justice puts Community back in Community Justice
http://daggnabbitnews.blogspot.com/2009/04/ministry-of-justice-new-measu...
Excerpt: (Ministry of Justice) New measures to give communities more say in justice - 10 London Boroughs identified for new pilot
A range of new measures that gives communities more say in the way justice is delivered in their neighbourhoods, as well as making local criminal justice agencies more accountable to the people they represent, has been announced today by ministers.
New DV Court Example for Country (UK)
Special status for North Tyneside court
By TEGAN CHAPMAN
NORTH Tyneside Magistrates' Court has been given specialist Domestic Violence Court status, giving victims enhanced support as they go through the Criminal Justice System.
The process, which has gained Newcastle and North Tyneside magistrates' courts the national SDVC accreditation, has also been hailed nationally as an example to the rest of the country.
The Specialist Domestic Violence Court Programme in Northumbria is led by Northumbria Criminal Justice Board.
DV Court Launches Another 128 Speciality Courts in UK
New specialist domestic violence court for Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
A NEW specialist court will be opening at Salisbury courthouse to provide extra help and support for victims of domestic violence.
Justice Minister Bridget Prentice has announced there will be 18 new courts across the country, with a target of 128 by 2011.
“These courts have been a real success and are central to the package of support we offer domestic violence victims,” she said.
UK Seeks to Reduce Recividism with RJ
Our prisons must be freed from this cycle of failure
Cutting the reoffending rate would ease the pressure on our bursting jails and offer some hope to a generation of criminals and the victims of their crimes, says Iain Duncan Smith.
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