Summary
The report focuses on the processes of development and setting up of the three restorative justice schemes (CONNECT, the Justice Research Consortium (JRC), and REMEDI). It describes in detail the aims and content of the schemes and their early efforts to become established. Findings indicate that restorative justice within the criminal justice process can work to aid a key criminal justice decision, or as part of a package of measures post disposal, as a service to victims and offenders. However, in both situations, restorative justice is operating within the criminal justice culture which requires them to observe procedures, precautions and values which often present practical difficulties. All these initiatives have found it hard to insert themselves into the existing arrangements and cultures of criminal justice agencies' and courts' patterns of working. Future initiatives will have to consider: (1) how best to allow victims the possibility of learning about restorative justice; (2) the need for statutory backing, and (3) the need for time and staff in the start-up phase for negotiation with criminal justice agencies. None the less, significant numbers of cases have proceeded through restorative justice processes, even in this first year of operation of the schemes.
Contents
1. Introduction. -- 2. CONNECT. -- 3. Justice Research Consortium (conferencing). -- 4. REMEDI. -- 5. Evaluating the fit: restorative justice and criminal justice. -- 5.1. The interaction between criminal justice and restorative justice. -- 5.2. Will restorative justice affect criminal justice decision making? -- 5.3. Operating within the criminal justice culture. -- 5.4. The implications for restorative justice schemes and funders. -- Appendix: Case flow for REMEDI offices in the first 12 months.