OECS JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM PROJECT/ JUDICIAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE (JEI)

1. OECS JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM PROJECT/ JUDICIAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE (JEI) OF THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT MAGISTRATES CONFERENCE TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR THE CARIBBEAN LOOKING TOWARDS A NEW DAWN: DIVERSION IN JUVENILE JUSTICE 26-28 August, 2013 The Verandah Resort & Spa Antigua Indian Town Road, Long Bay, Antigua and Barbuda Session 4 : Restorative Practices Facilitator: Hazel Thompson-Ahye LLM Merit Family Law

2. RESTORATIVE PRACTICES • Nature of restorative practices - -Use of formal and informal processes that precede wrongdoing, to proactively build relationships and a sense of community to prevent conflict and wrongdoing. - A social science that studies how to build social capital and achieve social discipline through participatory learning and decision-making. • Social capital- network of relationships-connections among individuals • Where social capital is well established, it is easier to respond effectively to wrongdoing and restore social order. • Fundamental premise of restorative practices • People are happier, more co-operative and productive when those in authority do things with them rather than to them or for them. ( Wachtel)www.iirp.edu/What is restortive-practices.php

3. RESTORATIVE PRACTICES • Use of restorative practices • Reduce crime, violence and bullying • Improve human behaviour • Strengthen civil society • Provide effective leadership • Restore relationships • Repair harm (Wachtel)www.iirp.edu/What is restortive-practices.php

4. RESTORATIVE PRACTICES • Restorative practices: • Circles-may be used: proactively-develop relationships and build community; reactively- to respond to wrongdoing. -give people an opportunity to speak and listen to one another in atmosphere of safety, decorum and equality.

5. RESTORATIVE PRACTICES • CIRCLES Wide variety of purposes: • Conflict resolution • Healing, • Support, • Decision making • Information exchange, • Relationship development. • Can be used in any organizational, institutional or community setting.

6. RESTORATIVE PRACTICES CIRCLES/ CONFERENCES Types of circles • Sequential • Non-sequential • Fishbowl Family Group Conference(FGC) New Zealand Family Group Decision Making(FGDM) NorthAmerica Social workers/other professionals brief family on available resources; allow family support networks to make important decisions about their loved ones. Process engages, empowers families.

7. RESTORATIVE PRACTICES Informal restorative practices/Formal Restorative practices continuum 1. Affective statements - wronged person lets offender know how he/she feels about the incident. • When you disrupt the class, I feel disappointed. 2. Affective question • Who do you think has been affected by what you did? • Ask question, then wait for offender to respond. 3. Small impromptu conference –spontaneous bringing together of parties, talk about what happened. Immediate apology might be made. ( 1,2, 3 require less planning) 4. Large group 5. Formal conference