Today (5th April 2011) in the Times, 30 prominent people called for the Government to act on the vision set out in the Sentencing Green Paper, and make restorative justice available to victims whenever an offender pleads guilty to their offence.
The letter published in the Times today says:
As Ministers develop proposals for sentencing reform this Autumn, we ask Government to take into account the evidence on restorative justice, and ensure through legislation that this process is offered to all victims of crime, whenever an offender pleads guilty to their offence and agrees to participate.
Research published by the Ministry of Justice shows that the majority of victims choose to participate in restorative justice meetings with their offenders when this is offered. 85% of victims who participate are satisfied with the process, because it gives victims a say, answers to their questions, and reparation that means something. The research also showed these meetings cut re-offending by at least 14% because offenders are confronted with the real impact of their crime and given the motivation to change.
Through reductions in re-offending and better use of Criminal Justice resources, restorative justice can deliver efficiencies at every stage of the criminal justice system. We welcome the vision for restorative justice as set out in the Sentencing Green Paper last year. Now the opportunity has come to match the vision with action.
To see full article and the list of 30 people, click here: http://www.restorativejustice.org.uk/news/30_prominent_people_across_society_sign_letter_to_the_times_in_support_of_restorative_justice/
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