Cumbria police have highlighted the success of a punishment which forces criminals to face the consequences of their actions.
Restorative justice sees a face to face meeting between the offender and their victims.
A trained expert asks structured questions that highlight how the offender’s behaviour has impacted on people’s lives.
Since 2008, officers in Cumbria have had the option to deal with low level offending by using Restorative Justice as an alternative to conventional means.
The system has gone from strength to strength, with 270 crimes in 2011 and 320 crimes in 2012 being dealt with in a restorative way.
Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Skeer said: “Restorative justice is a great way of dealing with minor offences to the benefit of both the victim and the community. It also provides police officers with the flexibility to deal with a variety of offences effectively.
“One of the priorities for Cumbria Constabulary is to utilise restorative processes more, involving victims, and giving them a voice in the way the police deal with lower level offences and anti-social behaviour. The implementation of the process will be decided on a case by case basis.
“It can provide the victim with a degree of closure, which they have had direct control over and have helped to facilitate. Going through the Community Resolution or Restorative Justice meeting has also been proven to have more impact on an offender than a prison sentence or a court punishment alone. The Offender can see the consequences of their actions, leading them to make changes in their future behaviour.”
A trained expert asks structured questions that highlight how the offender’s behaviour has impacted on people’s lives.
Since 2008, officers in Cumbria have had the option to deal with low level offending by using Restorative Justice as an alternative to conventional means.
The system has gone from strength to strength, with 270 crimes in 2011 and 320 crimes in 2012 being dealt with in a restorative way.
Assistant Chief Constable Michelle Skeer said: “Restorative justice is a great way of dealing with minor offences to the benefit of both the victim and the community. It also provides police officers with the flexibility to deal with a variety of offences effectively.
“One of the priorities for Cumbria Constabulary is to utilise restorative processes more, involving victims, and giving them a voice in the way the police deal with lower level offences and anti-social behaviour. The implementation of the process will be decided on a case by case basis.
“It can provide the victim with a degree of closure, which they have had direct control over and have helped to facilitate. Going through the Community Resolution or Restorative Justice meeting has also been proven to have more impact on an offender than a prison sentence or a court punishment alone. The Offender can see the consequences of their actions, leading them to make changes in their future behaviour.”
Last updated at 12:52, Monday, 18 November 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk
