1. Summer 2009
Resolution 33
News from the Restorative Justice Consortium
A Perfect Match: RJ and
Protective Behaviours
Can Murder ever be
Restorative Practices in the workplace
Forgiven?
Restorative Approaches in Lewisham Schools
More news from SORI - Supporting
An Eventful Journey: RJ
Offenders through Restoration Inside and
Leicestershire Police R. Andren
Essex County Juvenile Firesetters Scheme
Company number:4199237
Charity number:1097969

2. Contents
Introduction
ow. We've just come back from the already exists - is incredibly exciting. A full
02
03
Introduction and Editor’s note
News in brief
W RJC's Summer Conference, our
first in Wales, on the theme of
write up of the conference will be published
soon, and presenter's slides are all on the
Becoming a Restorative County/Local RJC website.
Authority. Hearing from the speakers and
04/05 Restorative Justice and Protective
workshop presenters what is already going Each area is different; each area has it's own
Behaviours: A Perfect Match
on, up and down the country, was story, it's own journey to take, as so much of
inspirational. this depends - as we learned throughout the
06/07 Can murder ever be forgiven? A
day - on the work of individual people,
restorative justice case study
We heard from Julia Houlston-Clarke, passionate and committed to restorative
Chaplain at Cardiff Prison, about how inter- practice - building relationships, bringing
08/09 An eventful journey: Restorative
agency working has taken the SORI people on board and showing people across
Justice and Leicestershire Police
programme from strength to strength, both their area what can be done. A key message
in Cardiff and at six other prisons across the I took away from the day was that although
10 Social Capital in a Civil Society
country. Speaking of her own experience of restorative practice needs support from
the importance of getting out of people 'at the top' - Chief Constables, Prison
11 Improving School Climate:
organisational silos, Julia showed us a slide Governors, Headteachers and Councillors,
Findings from schools
of Cardiff Prison, saying 'These walls aren't Chairs and Chief Executives in Local
implementing restorative practices
real.They look real, but they aren't.' This was Government for example - so much can and
a message we can all hear - whether we're is already being achieved at the grass roots,
12 Events
working in a school, a police force, a YOT, a by individual people just making it happen in
children's home, or at the RJC - the 'walls' their day to day life and work.
we put up between our organisations don't
need to be there; and when we get out there It was great to hear about local networks of
and make connections, the impact of restorative practitioners forming across the
Editor’s note restorative practice can really start to country - the RJC will do whatever we can to
spread out and be much more effective, support these networks and help people join
Resolution is here to reflect Restorative because all our partner agencies can see the - watch out for a new page on our website
Justice and Restorative Approaches in all benefits of a restorative approach. soon for local practitioner networks. As
their forms and developments. To this Mark Finnis said, in Hull their aim is to get
end we welcome your input and ideas. We heard next from Mark Finnis about away from restorative practice being an
what's happening in Hull as great strides are initiative or a project, something seen as an
Please get in touch if you would like to being taken towards Hull becoming a add on, and instead for it to become 'just the
submit an article, have suggestions for a restorative city. Starting from one primary way we do things here'. What was so
feature, share what you would like to see school, where Estelle McDonald as Head inspiring about the conference was
covered, or to alert us to an event you showed the profound impact restorative recognising that that applies to all of us. Our
wish to advertise. practices can have on a whole range of members are already making it 'just the way
indicators, restorative practice is spreading we do things around here.' How exciting that
Cover picture by Ronnie Andren throughout the agencies in the city. One key this is something each one of us can do, as we
indicator stood out. At Endeavor High remember, however isolated we feel working
Chris Igoe, Editor School, the introduction of restorative in our particular context, we are part of a
E: chris@restorativejustice.org.uk practices led to a huge fall in staff absence - much wider community of people, all of us
thus saving the school £8,000 in the cost of working to make restorative practice 'just
Resolution is the quarterly newsletter of supply teacher cover. Findings like these the way we do things' across our nations.
the Restorative Justice Consortium really need to get out there. Everyone in Hull
Albert Buildings, has recognised what a profound impact Lizzie Nelson
49 Queen Victoria St, London, EC4N restorative practices can have on the whole Acting CEO
4SA culture and morale of organisations; with RJC
Tel: 020 7653 1992 concrete findings like these - and many other
E: info@restorativejustice.org.uk dramatic statistics - coming out of Hull, this
W: www.restorativejustice.org.uk is something teachers and DCSF will be
Company number: 4199273 wanting to learn from nationwide.
Registered Charity no: 1097969
When we got on to workshops we heard
(c) 2009 RJC from people in Lancashire, Durham,
Not to be reproduced without permission Oxfordshire and Norfolk - people based in
police, education departments, YOTs - who
The articles in this newsletter express the are working together across agencies to 'go
personal views of the authors and do not on a journey' - as Pete Wallis from
necessarily reflect the views of the RJC Oxfordshire YOT described it - towards
becoming a restorative county or Local
Authority. The range of different ways that
people are working together, and step by
step introducing restorative practice in a
range of new areas, and joining it up where it

3. 02 | 03
News in brief
Leading Think Tanks United Nations to Engaging
Call for RJ promote the use of RJ Communities
Three leading think tanks have led calls in youth justice The Government's wide-ranging
for Restorative Justice to be expanded consultation ‘Engaging Communities in
in the criminal justice system in the last Criminal Justice’ asks how the
On the 20th March 2009 the UN
General Assembly Human Rights Government should publicise
few months.
Council agreed with respect to the Restorative Justice and encourage
administration of juvenile justice to: community involvement.
The Institute for Public Policy
Research (IPPR), the UK's leading “Encourage States… to develop and
implement a comprehensive juvenile The RJC welcomes the Engaging
progressive think tank, has
justice policy to prevent and address Communities Consultation, and within
recommended the Youth Justice System juvenile delinquency as well as with a
be reshaped to be tiered, preventative it, the recognition of the Ministry of
view to promoting, inter alia, the use of Justice research findings that
and diversionary including the alternative measures, such as diversion
introduction of Community Justice restorative justice both increases victim
and restorative justice.”
Panels, using Restorative Justice satisfaction and can reduce reoffending,
principles. The report is supportive of thereby reducing the number of victims
of crime in the future.
Restorative Justice as a method of RJ in the Media
reducing reoffending and engaging
victims & communities in a way that can The RJC has responded to the
Restorative Justice is becoming
be popular with the general public. consultation, calling for a Restorative
increasingly well known by the general
Justice Act to provide sentencers with
public. The rapid expansion of
the ability to refer adult offenders to
The Local government Information restorative practice into neighbourhood
restorative justice conferences; and for
Unit (LGiU) in their report 'Primary policing and education coupled with the
Justice' propose a decisive break with the establishment of local restorative
growing evidence in support of a
the centralised approach to criminal practice services with a Restorative
restorative approach has contributed to
justice in favour of devolving Practice Board to provide national
an increasing interest from local and
responsibility and funding to local oversight.
national media.
authorities.The report recommends that
"Restorative justice should be a RJC has supported this by responding Community Justice
mainstream part of primary justice... to news stories, by briefing ITV, BBC
there should be an understanding that and Channel 4 producers on the Panels expand
the availability of restorative justice is potential for documentaries and The success of Chard and Ilminster
as important to victims as justice programmes involving Restorative Community Justice Panel is leading to
through the criminal system." Justice and by giving interviews and similar panels based on Restorative
comment on the radio. Justice principles being opened locally
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has and around the country.The Community
called for a national RJ agency and If your organisation is receiving negative Justice Panel in Sheffield will be the
Restorative Justice Act to provide a media attention the RJC can help and first to open in a major city in the UK.
legislative framework for RJ expansion. we encourage members to get in touch if
The Act would encourage and expand this is the case. It is important that we Community Justice Panels are based on
RJ Conferences in prisons and in the all do more to promote our success Restorative Justice principles in dealing
community to rehabilitate prisoners and stories and the RJC is delighted to help with low-level crime.The Panels can
give a new recognition and role for publicise your good news stories and arrange for victims and offenders to
victims in the Criminal Justice System. results in any way we can. meet and reach an agreement on how to
The CSJ regard RJ as a well-tested but make amends for the crime.The process
surprisingly under-utilised method of For a full round-up of all the latest is voluntary and open only to offenders
prisoner rehabilitation. CSJ also call for media coverage make sure you receive who have admitted responsibility for a
police officers to be trained to deliver our monthly E-bulletin. This resource is crime.
Restorative Justice disposals in available to all members and
situations where they deem a supporters. It also includes information “It is brilliant that we have been able to
conventional criminal justice disposal to on events, vacancies and resources. expand the scheme locally so that even
be inappropriate. more people can benefit from
To alert RJC to breaking news or to Restorative Justice." Valerie Keitch, Co-
The reports are available through the share your successes stories call ordinator of Somerset Community
websites of the IPPR, CSJ and LGiU. 020 7653 1992. Justice Panel

4. 04 | 05
Restorative Justice and Protective Beh
Personal Support
Network
n the 21st May 2009 at Egrove Park,
O Oxford, 120 people attended the
launch of the Oxfordshire Young
Victims of Crime project; one of several Home We all need to make choices
Office initiatives intended to improve support
for young people who have been hurt through
for ourselves.
crime. Pete Wallis, the Restorative Justice lead
for Oxfordshire Youth Offending Service, gave We do not need to make
an overview of the project, explaining that it
was founded on two main philosophies -
these choices by
Restorative Justice and Protective Behaviours. ourselves.
In his address Pete commented that
'Protective Behaviours and Restorative Justice
were a perfect match'. Many of the audience
would have been familiar with the principles
and concepts of RJ but it is likely that fewer of
them had heard of Protective Behaviours
(PBs). So what is PBs, how does it work and
how does it complement RJ so well?
Persistence: we need to keep talking to
Outline of Protective Behaviours the people on our network until our
PBs originated in the 1970s in the United concern goes away or we feel safe again.
States when a school social worker, Peg
Flandreau West, responded to a number of The Oxford Young Victims of Crime project uses easy to understand tools to reinforce
pupils who were coming to her for help. In time Protective Behaviours Themes. Above is an example exercise undertaken with young
she observed a pattern; many of these young people to identify and review who they turn to for help and advice. Each finger
people had been the victims of abuse - represents a person they could ask for support, the palm represents sources of self
emotional, physical, sexual - and had suffered support and emergency contacts are kept up the sleeve.This exercise could be used to
in silence, sometimes for long periods, before help young people identify who they would like to support them at an RJ meeting.
seeking help.
Peg raised her concerns with colleagues, Protective Behaviours and RestorativeJustice of safety.
consulted with survivors, professionals, friends,
and explored how best to help these young So how and why do PBs and RJ complement Theme One also highlights the links between
people. This initiative developed into the two each other so well? rights and responsibilities. If we have the right
Themes and seven Strategies we call the to feel safe we have a corresponding
Protective Behaviours Process. The concept of safety is central to both responsibility to avoid behaviour which might
approaches. PBs was a response to the needs leave others feeling unsafe. If we have harmed
It has been said that the greatest truths are the of individuals who had been victimised and RJ someone else, we have a responsibility to take
simplest and the PBs Process is based on two focuses on the effects of conflict on people, action to repair that harm.
very simple truths or, as we call them, the two including their needs in the aftermath of an
Themes: incident. PBs highlights the 'ability to respond'
contained within the meaning of
Theme One Fundamental to the PBs process is the 'responsibility'. The 'ability to respond' applies
We all have the right to feel safe affirmation in Theme One of the right to feel to all parties. For the person who has been
all the time safe. Encouraging people to believe they have harmed it is important for them to be able to
this right gives them the confidence to seek help voice the effect the incident has had on them.
Theme Two when they feel unsafe. This is of benefit in the For the person who has caused the harm, an
There is nothing so awful or small context of both prevention (keeping safe) and opportunity to respond allows them to take
that we can't talk about it with as a response to an event where we have responsibility for their actions. RJ provides an
someone suffered harm or felt unsafe. opportunity for these things to happen,
empowering participants with the ability to
Supporting the two themes are the seven PBs If someone's right to feel safe has been respond. Enabling participants to become
Strategies: transgressed, PBs emphasise the importance familiar with PBs concepts prior to their
of Persistence - persisting in seeking help until meeting provides an ideal starting point for an
· Theme Re-inforcement they feel safe again. This might include RJ meeting
· Protective Interruption attending an RJ meeting which illustrates
· Persistence another strategy - risking on purpose. Meeting Theme Two encourages people to develop a
the person who caused you harm entails a personal support network which they can call
· Risking on Purpose degree of risk.The goal of PBs is that, despite upon when they have identified that they are
· One Step Removed your experience, you will be able to continue to feeling unsafe.This could assist participants in
· Network Review live a confident and fulfilling life, not having to identifying supporters they would wish to
curtail your lifestyle because of fear. Attending attend an RJ meeting with them. The need for
· The Language of Safety an RJ meeting is a crucial opportunity for all Safety will often be raised in RJ meetings and
parties to regain their confidence and feelings having an effective support network would be

5. haviours: A Perfect Match
of great value in assisting someone to regain the The 'Language of Safety' is the glue which is also used as the guiding ethos of many
confidence they may have lost as a result of the holds all the PBs elements together. It restorative approaches, particularly in schools.
harm they have suffered. encourages the use language which is clear, PBs overlaps in many respects with the
empowering, non-victimising and non-violent. It principles of Restorative Justice and the
Theme Two confirms the importance of talking confirms that language is a powerful tool in guidance provided by the PBs Process enables
as a means of keeping safe or regaining the forming and maintaining healthy relationships RJ practice to be even more effective in
feeling of safety - not only talking with your and a positive self-image. By using this model achieving its goals.
support network but also with the person who we are observing our responsibility to respect
caused you harm.Theme Two therefore provides everyone’s right to feel safe. Restorative Penny Bassett and Tim Lee are Protective
an ideal platform on which to develop an RJ processes also emphasise the need for care with Behaviours trainers who have applied the PBs
meeting. language and communication. For example message in various settings, in particular the
during the establishment of ground rules for a development of aprison groupwork programme
The interaction between feelings, thoughts and meeting there is an emphasis on respecting one www.feelingsafestandingstrong.com
behaviour is central to PBs. People are another, on listening and not interrupting. The
encouraged to identify and value their feelings restorative approach, like PB's, helps establish Penny has also developed a peer mentoring
as a means of tapping into and trusting their a mindset that isn't just about specific incidents programme, based on PBs, which she has
intuition. The Feelings, Thoughts, Behaviour and events - it gradually becomes integrated delivered in many primary and secondary
Model is also a useful means of analysis, to gain into every situation and action, helping to schools - www.pennybassett.com
a deeper understanding of the motivation of maintain a responsible, adventurous and
behaviour and the consequences of specific healthy attitude to life that is optimistic for the Illustrations are provided by young people
events. This emphasis placed on feelings, future. involved with the Young Victims of Crime
thoughts and behaviour has strong resonance in Project.
relation to a Restorative Enquiry, as a means of Conclusion
exploring the consequences of a specific offence
or incident.This can be summed up by one of the The PBs Process is essentially a framework of
key PBs phrases - 'Feelings are feelings, ideas which provides guidance on how to
behaviour a choice, always with an effect. Our respond positively to challenges in all aspect of
thinking influences both'' our lives, to keep ourselves and others safe. Its
clarity, simplicity and coherence make it
Another reason for the effectiveness of PBs is accessible to everyone - young people,
that it is as valid for the person who has caused adolescents and adults of all abilities, lifestyles
the harm as it is for the person who has been or belief systems. At the same time it can be
harmed - the PBs principles are universal. surprisingly subtle when the essential concepts
Many crimes, for example those committed by are applied to our personal interactions. With
people carrying knives, relate to someone not its emphasis on the right to safety, networks and
feeling safe themselves. By raising their problem-solving strategies, it has become
awareness of PBs, the person who caused harm established throughout the UK in various
is likely to be more receptive to the goals of an settings - abuse prevention, crime prevention,
RJ conference. Internalising PBs is also likely parent support, counselling, sex and
to reduce the risk of re-offending - if you believe relationship education, peer mentoring, drug
Theme One, committing offences which harm education. It has already been adopted by a
others can never be justified. number of RJ projects around the country and
Oxfordshire Young Victims of Crime Project
The Oxfordshire Young Victims of Crime departments and Thames Valley Police.
Project was initially a 6 month Home The pilot demonstrated over a very short
Office funded project which ran between time scale that there is significant
December 2008 and May 2009. The demand for services to support young
primary aim of the pilot was to develop a people victimised by crime and that
high quality manual and resource pack within Oxfordshire there is a significant
drawing on Protective Behaviours and gap in such provision.The feedback from
Restorative Justice principles, to be used service users and referrers was
by practitioners working with young overwhelmingly positive. This has
victims to reduce the harm caused and resulted in some interim funding being
help them in their recovery. During the received with a view to continuing the
pilot phase the materials were delivered project within Victim Support.
by specially recruited and trained project
support workers to young victims who For further information about the
had been referred to the project through Young Victims of Crime Project contact
various pathways including from Victim Pete Wallis or Shellie Keen on 01865
Support, the Education and Health 202218

6. 06| 07
Can Murder ever be Forgiven?
A Restorative Justice Case Study
For Christmas in 1985, Marlon* went to
visit his daughter who was living with his
ex-wife, her aunt and her four year old
cousin, Tanya. Marlon went with the
intention of giving both girls a Sindy doll
as a Christmas present but the visit
resulted in the murder of Tanya's mother
in front of her eyes. Sharon Goldstone
describes an exceptional restorative
meeting in which Tanya and Marlon met
for the first time in twenty-four years.
aren Watson, of London Probation had
K been Tanya's Victim Liaison Officer for
a number of years. During that time
Tanya had never thought in positive terms
about the future, only about the irredeemable
past. However, whilst attending a Landmark
Training and Development Programme she
arrived at a transformational position of total
forgiveness. She contacted Karen to see if she
could help her to arrange to express that
forgiveness directly to the offender, Marlon. I
was asked, in my role as Restorative Justice
Practitioner for the Victims Unit of London
Probation, to lead in the case and try to repair
some of the harm caused.
Tanya still held memories of that day. She
remembered her uncle, Marlon, arriving at the
flat, and that for some reason he had not been
allowed in. Her next memory was of her uncle Marlon presented
breaking into the flat and a violent Tanya with a 1985
confrontation, culminating with her mother Sindy doll exactly
being stabbed as she sought to shield Tanya's
aunt, Marlon's ex wife, from attack.Tanya was like the one he had
haunted by a feeling of helplessness and sense intended to give her
of guilt for the past 24 years for not rushing twenty-four years
over to help her mum. To complete the
nightmare, she watched her mother's body ago.
being hurled out of the window. Over the next
12 hours Tanya drifted in and out of I helped Tanya articulate her feelings and to deal with emotional and physical wounds
consciousness as her uncle inflicted great pain wishes for the future and, once I identified that which, in different ways, had devastated their
on her while her aunty was forced to watch.The Tanya had forgiven herself for not coming to lives.
following day armed police ended the siege and her Mum's aid during the crime, we worked
Marlon received two bullet wounds, one bullet together to find how this could be expressed to On the day of the meeting, Tanya shared with
still remaining in his brain to this day. the offender in ways which would enable him to me how she felt a mixture of anxiety and
receive forgiveness, move forward with his life excitement. Similarly, Marlon said that
After serving 17 years in prison, completing and adopt strategies to prevent re-offending. although he longed for the opportunity to tell
lots of courses and a further 3 years being his story and say how sorry he was, the thought
supervised in the community, Marlon had ideas I continued to work separately with Tanya and of seeing his niece 24 years later all grown up,
about what to do next, but no real purpose. He Marlon assisting them to explore the truth sent feelings of shame and anxiety through his
lived with the pain he had caused to others for about what happened. They wrote down their body.
so long, that he didn't think he would ever be feelings in letters, along with questions they
able to forgive himself for what he did and he had related to the crime, which I exchanged Tanya later told me that when she first saw
did not expect anyone else to forgive him either, through a process called shuttle mediation. Marlon he seemed so frail and insignificant,
least of all Tanya. He was sorry, ready to admit Following this, both Tanya and Marlon very different to the man she remembered.
it, but even though released from custody, he expressed a strong desire to meet each other When the meeting started Tanya invited him to
found himself still in a prison of deep regret. face to face. A restorative meeting was set up come and sit beside her and he was shaking.

7. She extended her hand out to him and told him
that she was not there to make him suffer, but
to help him. Monica, one of Marlon's Support
Workers, also observing the meeting said that
Marlon had been a model tenant. Since
coming out of prison he had always been
polite, paid his rent on time and proved himself
to be someone whom they could trust. She
described him as being a genuine individual.
Marlon said that going through the restorative
process was the hardest thing he had ever
chosen to undertake. He came to understand
that our acceptance was based on who he was,
not what he had done, and that had given him
back his dignity. We spoke about the crime,
considered the harm that had been caused and
he was able to take responsibility for his
behaviour more totally than he had ever
before.
Although Marlon had participated in a victim
empathy course in prison and met someone
else's victim, meeting his own victim had
proved much more difficult; but Tanya's letter
Princess Anne speaks to Sharon about her restorative work with London Probation Service
had made him feel worthy of a chance to
repair what had been ruined, so he slowly important in their lives. For Tanya, this shown me that crime has a devastating impact
began to open up and truthfully tell his side of included working with others sharing her on victims, offenders, their families and the
what had happened. As Marlon looked in experiences, raising money for Charity and wider community. Victims want to feel
Tanya's eyes and began to speak with so much writing a book entitled 'Letters to my Mother'. understood; they want offenders to own up to
shame, she squeezed his hand tight and told Marlon shared that he also used his what they have done and acknowledge the
him that being able to forgive was a God given experiences to help youngsters while in prison suffering they have caused. Many victims also
blessing which she wanted him to know; that and others in the community and that he also want some good to come of their tragedy and
she didn't want him to blame himself anymore. continued to enjoy making and carving that means they want the offender to go
wooden items which he was keen to develop through an experience that leads them to give
into a business. Tanya offered her marketing up crime. It had been humbling to take part in
"Working with the victim through experience to help Marlon to market his a restorative process that has begun to repair
a process of recrimination, to products. the harm caused by the crime and has made a
forgiveness and then beyond this significant contribution to victim
to reconciliation has been an I then focused the meeting further towards the empowerment, offender accountability,
overwhelming experience." future and Tanya expressed a wish to build a restoration of relationship and brought new
closer relationship with her uncle. She told him meaning and purpose into the lives of all who
Tanya described the special relationship she that there was nothing he had to make up for had been involved in the process.
had enjoyed growing up with Marlon's and that he was a perfect and generous man
daughter. Tanya's cousin had various trinket and that she hoped others would also see what Restorative practices are increasingly being
boxes which her Marlon had made her out of was in his heart.Tanya encouraged Marlon to recognised as the most positive intervention to
matches and she asked him if he still made re-contact his daughter, saying that because of assist victim and offenders to move forward
those things. Marlon paused for a while and conflicting loyalties they had not enjoyed a with their lives reducing the harm of the crime
smiled for the first time and then produced two good relationship since the crime. Tanya told and they are the most likely strategies to
parcels for Tanya and asked her to accept them Marlon that his daughter loved him and that reduce reoffending.They allow both victim and
as tokens of his gratitude for her she wanted to try and repair the rift between offender to settle with the past, engage with
understanding. The first parcel contained a them also, and hoped her actions today would the present and to believe in the future and I
genuine 1985-6 pedigree edition Sindy Doll be an example to the rest of the family of what intend to be working tirelessly to see this work
which Marlon explained represented the can be achieved. Marlon also invited Tanya to continue to develop.
Christmas present he had not had the meet some family members on the other side
opportunity to give her. The second parcel which she was excited about. Sharon Goldstone is Restorative Justice
contained a wooden trinket box which Marlon Practitioner for London Probation Service's
had carved himself. At this point the giver and As the meeting ended Marlon said that the Victims Unit.
receiver became filled with emotion. Tanya gifts of acceptance and forgiveness that had
kissed Marlon and hugged him tight, as all been given to him today were priceless and had To comment on this article or for further
past feelings of resentment and bondage were given him new meaning and purpose in his life. details about restorative mediation e-mail
cleared away, leaving them both free to begin With Tanya's help, he wanted to make a better Sharon.Goldstone@london.probation.gsi.gov.
afresh.This process had changed the way they future for himself and family. uk
perceived themselves and given them new
identities. I thanked everyone for participating and Tanya *Marlon & Tanya's names have been changed
and Marlon for the privilege of travelling for confidentiality.
During a time of open dialogue Tanya and alongside them on their journey. Fourteen
Marlon told each other a little about what was years experience in conflict resolution has

8. 08| 09
An Eventful Journey: Restorative Ju
PC Sandie Hastings has been implementing
Restorative Justice since piloting its use with
young people who had received police final
warnings for Leicestershire Youth Offending
Service (LYOS) in 2000. During her time
with LYOS Sandie facilitated over two
hundred face to face RJ conferences and
became the largest sole contributor to
Mediation UK's publication "40 cases: RJ
and Victim-Offender-Mediation" (now
available online). Her research project 'An
Examination of Restorative Justice in the
Neighbourhood Policing Context' earned her
a Fulbright Police Fellow Scholarship in
2006. Her research provided a host of
exciting learning opportunities including
time working with police and community RJ
projects in Rochester, New York (see also
Resolution 31).
Below Sandie describes the latest chapter in
her RJ story beginning with an opportunity
to pilot restorative justice in neighbourhood
Above: Three young people cleaning their graffiti from a Charity building following
policing on two estates in Leicestershire.
agreement with the victim (Multiple Sclerosis Charity Centre manager pictured centre).
The selection of Leicestershire as a pilot
There has been no further incidents of grafitti - in fact the young people concerned took to
area for the Flanagan Report
‘policing’ the wall to protect their hard work!
recommendations on community policing
has provided a chance to put her learning to Every neighbourhood beat officer and Police A) Appropriate reduction in bureaucracy,
use on a much larger scale. Community Support Officer (PCSO) and B) Proportionality in the crime recording
some key partner agency representatives process.
nitially, the plan was to introduce based within the pilot area were trained in a C) Allowing officers to use more discretion,
I restorative practice into mainstream
policing as a pilot project with two
full day to the 'street' or 'instant' RJ level
one standard.
experience, and professional judgement , and,
D) placing more emphasis on 'community
neighbourhood beat teams each based on an resolution' (based on RJ principles) to
estate in the Leicester City area. The pilot However, towards the end of March 2008 provide a more citizen focussed service.
was to run from 1st April 2008 for three and before the April 1st pilot start date,
months and if it proved successful then it significant events came about that would
would be rolled out across the organisation. rather spectacularly supersede the scale of
A policy document setting out guidance for this planned localised scheme. “surveys across all
its use (i.e. which offences and offenders
were deemed suitable or otherwise), and In a recently published report outlining a four pilot sites
procedural guidance around its application major review of policing produced by Sir
was produced. Ronnie Flanagan, Leicestershire indicated significant
Constabulary had been identified as one of
Restorative Solutions was commissioned to four Police Forces in the UK, together with increases in both
provide training for one session on the basis Surrey, Staffordshire and West Midlands, to
that I would co-train the 'Restorative pilot its recommendations. Before writing his customer and staff
Approaches in Neighbourhoods' (RAiN) report, Sir Ronnie Flanagan, carried out
session with one of their trainers, and from extensive national research which found; satisfaction.”
then onwards, given my experience of the
subject, I would train other colleagues using 'The current Police approach to dealing with The governance structure for the pilot of the
the packs provided. [local crime] is clumsy, officers are reports findings consisted of a programme
encouraged to criminalise people for steering group with representation from the
The training was adapted to meet our local behaviour which may have caused offence Home Office, the National Policing
needs. Emphasis was placed on providing but would be better dealt with in a different Improvement Agency (NPIA), HMIC, and
greater discretion to officers to provide a way. Complainants are dissatisfied because the Association of Chief Police Officers
range of restorative processes in addition to they want help rather than a criminal justice (ACPO) as well as individual force project
a face to face RJ conference. This flexibility outcome.' teams. The programme explored a departure
of approach avoided a 'one size fits all' from the sanction detection performance
solution in favour of taking into account the Some of the recommendations of the report culture in response to a change in the wishes
needs of individual victims. highlighted the need when dealing with local and needs of the public, enabling them to
crime for;

9. ustice and Leicestershire Police
contribute towards the outcome of crimes For the purpose of the pilot, 'local crime' was have a particular aptitude and interest in
and incidents through local community identified as minor theft, damage and restorative work. These officers are now
resolutions. All four forces developed a assaults, anti social behaviour and recognised as 'force champions' in this field
variety of work streams, including surveys, harassment. Examples of creative, effective and have agreed to support colleagues with
evaluation of training and monitoring of and innovative use of community resolution RJ and promote its use where appropriate.
outputs over the course of the intervention, by front line staff soon began to emerge and Partner agencies are also a vital resource
based on a framework of agreed principles. were used to promote best practice to and will be included where possible in the
colleagues via the force website, and in the next phase of coaching due to be rolled out
This was an exciting development, and press for information and reassurance to the neighbourhood beat teams where
although the initial Leicester City based pilot purposes to local communities. more emphasis will be placed on the
did go ahead and was a success in its own development of RJ conferencing skills.
right, it would be fair to say that the
successful implementation of a review of this
Outcomes The development of Restorative Justice in
scale would fundamentally change the way (July 2008 - March 2009) Leicestershire Constabulary has made an
we police our communities in the UK for the exciting start. The passion of the people
better. · 2,666 offences resolved involved combined with the opportunity
provided by the Flanagan Report is a
Leicestershire's pilot manager, Chief
using the community powerful vehicle that has the potential to
Inspector Richard Keenan, invited me to resolution process based on take restorative justice to the place where it
work with him to roll out the initial training belongs; in the heart of our communities.
to all front line staff across the entire Force.
RJ principles.
Deadlines were tight; approximately twelve Sandie Hastings.
hundred staff members received the input in
· Over 2,000 offenders were Police Constable
sixty two sessions in a matter of thirty days. directly involved in the Leicestershire Constabulary,
In order to achieve this target, the sessions process. UK.
were reduced to three hours. This allowed
sufficient time for us to deliver an overview · 45% of offenders were An extended article charting Sandie's RJ
of the Flanagan report (a basic insight into journey since first training course with
restorative practices using live examples), juveniles. Thames Valley Police in 1999 and detailing
and an understanding of the simplified the meteoric development of RJ in Leicester,
process and procedures now in place. There ·Re-offending rate for Leicestershire and Rutland will be made
were mixed reactions from front line staff juveniles involved in the available at www.restorativejustice.org.uk
during the training sessions, but what was
seen as 'common sense policing' was process is 18%.
generally welcomed. Below: A young man found smoking
·Victim satisfaction rates have cannabis on church premises agrees to pick
The pilot went live across the entire force in risen from 60% (pre-pilot) to litter from the churchyard.
Leicestershire on 1st July 2008. Early signs
from surveys across all four pilot sites
90%.
indicated significant increases in both
customer and staff satisfaction.Victims were
· Over 18,500 hrs Police time
asked about their experiences and were saved and re-invested in local
generally found to be supportive of the
process of community resolution and thought
policing.
it was appropriate to their incident, the
offence and the offender. They liked the idea
of not criminalising the offender and The selection of results above is by no means
resolving issues outside of the traditional comprehensive, merely an encouraging
legal system. indicator of the effectiveness of the process
within a very short time span, carried out by
Staff welcomed the opportunity to have officers with minimal basic awareness
greater flexibility, particularly highlighted training. A full evaluation of the four force
around the requirement to arrest for minor pilots is currently being undertaken by the
offences due to the need to meet NPIA and the results will be published in due
performance targets, when the victim did not course.
want formal Police action. Feedback from
operational officers indicated that as a result There is of course much more to be done to
of this initiative, the proportionate recording embed a more thorough understanding of RJ
of crime and the manner in which it is principles into the organisation. I have
resolved, has freed up time to allow them to recently delivered bespoke coaching sessions
focus on what matters. to thirty one personally selected officers,
each of whom have shown themselves to

10. Social Capital in a Civil Society
Power in our hands
but form only 15 per cent of the total. home placement is less likely after an
FGC.
The welfare state has paternalistic
elements, Kemény said, with the state Learning circles promote the individual
taking over from municipalities and people school careers of pupils; a question from a
losing the know-how for everyday living. pupil is discussed with people involved in
Mediation services haven't yet re-vitalized his/her life.
communities but have potential. Solidarity
must be re-learnt. A conferencing model Restorative Justice conferences deal with
has taken off, and helps to create social conflicts between parties or in schools etc.
support; police and prosecutors like it, Victims, perpetrators and their respective
although mediation services have only families and social networks are brought
recently acquired the skills. There is a together.
need for sound police-mediation o A restorative meeting is attended by an
cooperation; if police work restoratively, average of 8 persons.
they can help the community to cope with o 92% of the meetings concluded with a
conflicts, and they do not have to record restorative plan.
every small offence. Siri ended by warning o 95% of the participants could partially
against the professionalization of or fully contribute to a solution.
mediation; the Dutch programme Eigen o After three months, 77% of the plans
hat started as Restorative Justice Kracht shows that it is not necessary. are fully executed and 20% partially.
W could lead to a wider concept of
civil society, and even help to make 'Eigen Kracht' literally means 'Own 'All-hands' community conferences are
it a reality. That was the message of a Power'. Hedda van Lieshout, in her used for difficult situations in
seminar of the European Forum for workshop, called it 'Teamwork with neighbourhoods or organizations, for
Restorative Justice, in Leuven, Belgium, in citizens in restorative practices'. A loose example, when there is tension in a
June 2009, on 'Building social support for translation might be 'Power in our own neighbourhood or at a school, the people
Restorative Justice: working with media, hands'. Hedda suggested that well- involved get a chance, by means of a
civil society and citizens'. intentioned organisations may take over conference, to make their own plan as an
too much, whereas Eigen Kracht gives answer to the question or a solution to the
Ivo Aertsen described civil society as people the opportunity to resolve things problem. Issues may include child care,
uncoerced, voluntary collective action themselves. Rather than one-to-one health, schools, correction centres,
around shared interests, purposes and mediation, they aim to widen the circle of domestic violence, community policies -
values. It forms a 'Third Sector', alongside people who contribute both to finding a wherever a decision is needed.
the state and business and includes 'civil solution and to supporting it. They use
society organizations' such as professional trained independent facilitators - people It is the official policy of the Dutch
associations, trades unions, self-help who mostly have other full-time jobs; they government to encourage local authorities
groups and voluntary organizations. The are not volunteers, but paid (35 euros per to promote Eigen Kracht.The participants
latter may be state subsidized. There is hour). In the Netherlands (population 16 and the facilitators together are working
also scope for restorative practice in million) there are 400 of them, speaking a towards a civil society with maximum
schools and sport. All this adds up to total of 66 languages. Most conferences autonomy of citizens.
'social capital', which is a capacity to take about 15 hours to organize, but
mobilize resources to solve social Family Group Conferences take about 30 Martin Wright
problems. There is a need for a co- hours. The national office has 7 staff, and
ordinated and strategic approach - but it there are 16 regional co-ordinators. More For more information much of it in
should leave room for surprises! than 2000 conferences have been held in English) on Eigen Kracht visit
the Netherlands.They use slightly different www.eigen-kracht.nl or email info@eigen-
Norway has progressed down this road, models for different situations. kracht.nl
with community mediation that has been
running for nearly twenty years. Siri Family group conferences (FGCs) are for For materials and information on the
Kemény, of the Norwegian Mediation problems within a family. The average Building Social Support for Restorative
Council, pointed out that the Norwegian number of people at an FGC is 14. A Justice: Working with Media, Civil Society
law says that mediation must be done by quarter of the families make a plan that and Citizens conference please visit
lay citizens, in contrast to Austria, where they can fulfil on their own, three quarters www.euforumrj.org/Activities/seminars.htm
'out-of-court offence resolution' is all ask for help or support from professionals
professionalized. The aim is to strengthen - which in some cases they had rejected Dr Martin Wright is a senior research
communities' ability to resolve minor when it was forced on them. The fellow, at De Montfort University,
offences, without weakening the legal participants have 'private time' as part of Leicester and trustee of the Restorative
profession. Civil cases are also dealt with, the process. In child-care cases, an out-of- Justice Consortium.

11. 10 | 11
Improving School Climate:
Findings from Schools implementing Restorative Practices
nspired by the failure of
I authoritarian responses to falling
academic standards and increasing
violence in schools the International
Institute for Restorative Practices
developed an alternative approach. The core
principle of this new approach is "to strike at
the heart of the culture" of the school, by
using restorative practices to foster dialogue
among students and between pupils and
staff. The IIRP is committed to providing
ongoing data about how restorative
practices are being implemented. Here data
from a range of programmes are reported
from schools and school districts in the US,
Canada, and the UK to provide a snapshot of
findings related to restorative practices.
North America
Ronnie Andren
Programmes were tailored to the particular
needs of each school but all share basic decreased by 98% and the school's Ofsted
pupils learn to respect others and take
restorative principles, seeking to improve ranking moved from the lowest ranking
responsibility for their own actions
behaviour through building relationships, "needing special measures" to "outstanding".
·Development of "team feeling" between
rather than through punishment and fear. The secondary school pilot results include
pupils, between staff members, and between
Teachers and other educators have been reductions in physical abuse, racism,
staff and pupils
trained to employ the continuum of exclusions and 62.5% decrease in staff
·Positive effect on academic performance, as
restorative practices, using restorative absences.
pupils begin to feel safe and part of a school
questions for sharing and eliciting emotions
community
and employing conferencing, circles, Following the pilot results restorative
interventions and one-to-ones, as practices have been expanded to seven more
UK
appropriate throughout the school day. For schools with positive results. In other areas,
example, in some schools, circles are used at results so far are equally promising.
The first of two UK reports is from a
the beginning and end of each class, for Involving families, as well as school staff, in
residential school for boys with emotional
students to set goals and expectations circles with those children experiencing the
and behavioural difficulties. Echoing the
together. The implementation of restorative greatest difficulties has proved beneficial to
reports from North America, a school with
practices in six US schools range across everyone. The police are using restorative
an "us and them" ethos and high levels of
urban, suburban and rural settings. Results practices for first-time minor offences and
vandalism and antisocial behaviour, has been
include one of the most dangerous schools in neighbourhood conflicts. In children's homes,
turned around by the introduction of
Philadelphia where violent acts reduced by restorative practices have resulted in greatly
restorative practices. Circles are now
52% and 40% in consecutive years. At a reduced criminal records and police
embedded in the school culture for all staff
school in a relatively affluent area of involvement. Circles have even helped staff
and pupils, and a sense of community has
Pennsylvania where problems were more effectively manage their own issues.
been developed. One welcome outcome is the
restricted to a small number of repeat
substantial reduction in repair costs for
offenders, suspensions dropped from 30 a
damaged property; previously in one week Conclusion
year to just 5. In Canada restorative
over £1000 was spent on broken windows
practices were implemented as a systemic
but now this sort of vandalism has virtually The results from both North America and
approach covering all the elementary and
disappeared. the UK are overwhelmingly positive and
secondary schools in the two school board
show that restorative practices can
areas involved.
The second, and perhaps most remarkable, transform schools by engaging students in
example is from Hull which is endeavouring taking responsibility for making their own
In all the schools, reported results were
to become a "restorative city" where schools better. The data presented highlights
overwhelmingly positive and changes began
everyone working with children will employ the remarkable potential of restorative
to appear very quickly following
restorative practices. Schools, families, the practices to achieve safer, saner schools and
implementation of a programme.
police and the Children and Young People's communities.
Services are all involved and committed to
The results show: This article is a summary by Christine Groothues.
building social connection and responsibility,
The full report ‘Improving School Climate’ by
· Large decreases in suspensions from and providing a means to repair harm when
Sharon Lewis, Director of Research IIRP
school, as problems are faced and solved relationships break down. Graduate School is available at
with pupils: Decrease in recidivism among www.iirp.org/pdf/IIRP-Improving-School-Climate. The
the most difficult pupils Pilots were conducted at a primary and a report was originally shared with members of the
· Great improvement in student behaviour secondary school with results reported after Restorative Practices eForum. You may join for
generally, less disrespect and fighting as two years. At the primary school exclusions free at www.iirp.org/join_eforum

12. Events
'Families, Friends and 12
Communities: strengthening
prisoners' and ex-offenders'
positive relationships'
Prisoner Action Net
Date: 5 November 2009
Venue: Inmarsat,99 City Road, London
For up-to-date information on RJ events go to:
PrisonerActionNet are organising a www.restorativejustice.org.uk/?Events
conference that aims to highlight the
range of work that's possible and
effective with offenders to improve their
relationships with others.
practitioners, the conference aims to
For IIRP World Conference Transition to Adulthood
help review and develop projects and ‘Restoring Community in Interactive Consultation
initiatives that strengthen offenders' a Disconnected World’ Events
relationships, and to help them
understand how this work can be International Institute for Clinks, T2A and Barrow Cadbury
evidenced and commissioned. Restorative Practices 26th August 2009 ı Bristol
Date:Wednesday 21st - 23rd October 10th September 2009 ı Manchester
Key themes include family and lasting Venue:Bethlehem, Pennsylvania,USA 23rd September 2009 ı London
relationships, peer mentoring,
Restorative justice and victim empathy - This conference will provide an Transition to Adulthood (T2A) is an
helping offenders to apologise and make international perspective on restorative Alliance, led by the Barrow Cadbury Trust,
amends. practices theory and practice in a variety campaigning for young adults (18-24
of settings including education, social year-olds) in the Criminal Justice System.
For more information including how to welfare, criminal justice, community
book call 020 8348 8263 or visit development and workplaces. Restorative T2A, in partnership with the National
www.lemosandcrane.co.uk practitioners from around the world will Council for Voluntary Youth Services
share their knowledge and achievements (NCVYS), is hosting three interactive
and find encouragement, support and consultation events on A New Start - the
advice. green paper from T2A - which lists 21
RJC Full details and booking information are
recommendations for change. We need
your views as practitioners working with
young adults on the ground.
available at www.iirp.org/beth
Advertising International Institute
These events are free of charge, but places
are limited to 60 delegates at each venue.
The Restorative Justice Consortium for Restorative To make a booking, or for more
offers free advertising to our
membership. Practices UK Office information, contact Karen Desai at
(IIRP UK) Clinks: karen.desai@clinks.org or call
In addition to listings on our popular 01904 673 970.
Autumn 09 Regional Workshops
website www.restorativejustice.org.uk
and our monthly e-bulletin, your
organisation may receive a prominent
3-Day Restorative Conferencing
Facilitator Skills Training
This events listing is
listing in Resolution at no extra charge. Date: 6th - 8th October not exhaustive
Venue:Oxford, England
Further sponsorship and marketing
For a full list of events
opportunities are available to members 1 Day Introduction to Restorative
Practices Workshop
on Restorative Justice
and non-members at competitive
prices.
Dates: 5, 10th, 11th, 26th November and related fields
Venues: Manchester, Exeter, London &
Cardiff please visit the RJC
For details email
info@restorativejustice.org.uk Full information & pricing available at website
www.iirp.org/uk www.restorativejustice.org.uk
Join the RJC
If you believe in Restorative Justice, join the Restorative Justice Consortium and help support our work.
Members benefit from free copies of Resolution, monthly emails about the latest Restorative Justice news
and events, free entry to our regular Forums and further discounts on all our events as well as the
opportunity to place articles and advertise on the RJC website.
We rely on our membership to help us promote the use of Restorative Justice and your support will help us
do even more.
Join us now by downloading an application form from www.restorativejustice.org.uk/?Membership
or call the RJC on 020 7653 1992 for more information.