RJC Conference 2002

            
RJC 4th Annual Conference

Conference Report

The Restorative Justice Consortium held their fourth Annual Conference on the 29th November 2002 at Hamilton House, London. Around 160 delegates attended, from a range of organisations including a number of Youth Offending Teams, probation officers, prison officers, to name but a few. The conference was chaired by Sir Charles Pollard who opened by welcoming everyone and spoke briefly about R J saying that the more serious the crime, the better R J will work. He pointed out that the government says it believes in communities, and that victims should have a central place. He noted that the concept of R J was spreading to schools and education, and talked about the restorative way police can work in schools.

Margaret Carey (chair of the Consortium) introduced Debra Clothier as the new Chief Executive of the RJC.

Hilary Benn MP, Minister of State, Home Office gave the keynote speech. He talked about RJ, as a concept requires us to examine what we mean by justice: it is a subversive idea, which questions our assumptions. Is justice only punishment? Does it include rehabilitation and forgiveness? Should there be punishment when the victim is not interested in revenge, or vice versa?

He gave two contrasting case histories.

A woman of 80 saw her daughter and a friend killed by a motorist. He was convicted only of driving without due care, and fined £200, with a 12-month ban. She wanted him sent to prison. He never spoke to her, and after the court hearing she found that he went to the pub, which made her angry.

Marian Partington (who was present at the conference), sister of Lucy Partington, one of Frederick West's victims, had visited Grendon Prison and spoken to prisoners of her feelings. She felt that some crimes are beyond 'sad, mad or bad,' and can lead to vengeful behaviour. The most profound justice available is to listen. Where it works, it is 'unbelievably powerful' for both victims and offenders. But justice has to be about 'calling people to account for what they have done'.

We need opportunities to use restorative justice 'to support victims and reduce offending'. It can increase victims' satisfaction.

Since April 2000 46 new projects have been opened. 53% of victims participated. Just under two thirds would recommend R J to others. The government has said that 80% of Final Warnings should have restorative elements by 2003.

Regarding referral orders, 96% of victims had felt that the Youth Offending Panel was helpful. Panels include members of the community, of whom there are 5000 in the country.

He mentioned that the Inside-Out Trust is working in more than 90 prisons.
We want a base of evidence; hence the pilot research studies currently taking place, including Remedi in Sheffield and Connect in London. Final reconviction studies should be available by the end of 2005.

Hilary said that the most important thing is to reduce reoffending. The debate should not be in terms of 'hard vs. soft': 'you can always be outbid at the hard end of the spectrum.' But we do need protection from some offenders.

He talked about Sure Start being a promising initiative; but it will take 25 years to get long-term research findings!

He emphasised the need for RJ to be carried out properly: how it works depends on how it is done. Four fifths of victims are satisfied; but that leaves one fifth, who are dissatisfied, often strongly. There is a need for training for staff, and volunteers who understand R J principles. The theory should be grounded in practical experience.

In the discussion that followed the speech, a questioner asked whether the government was prepared to use forthcoming criminal justice legislation to amend the Acts of 1998 and 1999 in the light of experience and research findings. Mr Benn did not give an unequivocal Yes, but he did not rule it out- we need to reflect on our experience, to be honest and admit if fine-tuning or change is needed. 'We need to be grown up about this.'

Another questioner asked Mr Benn whether he agreed that the essence of justice is not punishment. There is a tension between R J and the pressure for more prisons. Mr Benn agreed: Some prisoner's have to be released when known to be dangerous. It is difficult to deal with persistent offenders. The Lord Chief Justice, the Lord Chancellor and the Home Secretary agree that we should have fewer short sentences. Courts are imposing fewer fines and more community sentences, but also more and longer prison sentences.

In answer to further questions, he agreed that there was another tension - the pressure to speed up the process versus the victim's timescale for deciding whether to take part in R J. He stressed that politicians need to demonstrate benefits. He would like to see more drug treatment and jobs for ex-offenders.

To view workshop notes in full click here

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