RJ Works

Restorative justice reduces reoffending and benefits victims. Research on the evidence on reoffending and victim benefits can be found here. Below we consider what these benefits mean in terms of cost savings to society.


Restorative Justice and Justice Reinvestment

Restorative justice's effect on reducing reoffending can be measured in terms of economic benefit to society - because crime costs us money, restorative justice can save us money. Below are some resources which investigate how much restorative justice could be saving taxpayers.

Matrix Evidence - Economic Analysis of interventions for young offenders (Nov 2009).
Independent expert analysis of the economic benefits of restorative justice has revealed that restorative justice would likely lead to a net benefit of over £1billion over ten years. The report concludes that diverting young offenders from community orders to a pre-court restorative justice conferencing scheme would produce a life time saving to society of almost £275 million (£7,050 per offender). The cost of implementing the scheme would be paid back in the first year and during the course of two parliaments (10 years) society would benefit by over £1billion. 

Justice Committee - Cutting Crime: the case for justice reinvestment (Jan 2010).
House of Commons Justice Committee examines the case for justice reinvestment and makes findings on how much restorative justice would save society.

New Economics Foundation ‘Punishing Costs’ report recommends better use of Restorative Justice interventions one of which NEF estimate would lead to savings of £60m per year.

The report states: “We are surprised by the cautious approach that the Government has taken towards restorative justice but we welcome its current commitment to revive the strategic direction in this area. We urge the Justice Secretary to take immediate action to promote the use of restorative justice and to ensure that he puts in place a fully funded strategy which facilitates national access to restorative justice for victims before the end of this Parliament.”

Ministry of Justice research (Shapland et al 2004.) 
Found restorative justice to be 'value for money' with cost savings of up to £9 for every £1 spent on implementation.

Victim Benefits - Restorative justice has been shown to reduce post traumatic stress for victims - a key factor linked to heart disease. Angel (2005). Benefits of this and more obvious reductions in violent crime would have for the NHS have yet to be quantified.