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Commission on English Prisons Today

Commission on English Prisons Today. Restorative Justice and Victims Heather Strang PhD. Research on Restorative Justice. Empirical evidence base now substantial, mainly in relation to face-to-face RJ Research mainly in UK, Australia and US

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Commission on English Prisons Today

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  1. Commission on English Prisons Today Restorative Justice and Victims Heather Strang PhD

  2. Research on Restorative Justice • Empirical evidence base now substantial, mainly in relation to face-to-face RJ • Research mainly in UK, Australia and US • 12 randomised controlled trials on medical model for testing new drugs • Tested with: • adults/juveniles • violent/property crime • Prison and community • As diversion and in addition to conventional justice

  3. Principal research findings • RJ usually results in reduction in frequency of reconviction (i.e. less crime after RJ) • RJ shown to be very cost effective • Victims much more satisfied with their justice experience

  4. RJ studies in custody and community sentences • Pre-sentence studies with burglary and robbery cases in London; most offenders remanded in custody • Post-sentence study with violence; all offenders serving custodial sentences • Post-sentence study with violence; all offenders serving community supervision sentences

  5. Key issues • Pre-RJ preparation by RJ facilitator of both offenders and victims re roles and expectations • Leads to high take-up and no surprises • Special preparations for victims when RJ held in prisons

  6. Findings for offenders in UK prison-RJ • In line with earlier findings, reduction on frequency of reconviction by RJ group compared with control group (no RJ) • Robbery down 8% • Burglary down 16% • Prison violence down 33% • Community supervision down 55%

  7. Findings for victims in UK prison - RJ • More satisfied with justice experience • Reduced post-traumatic stress symptoms • Reduced anger, fear and anxiety • Reduced desire for violent revenge • Entirely feasible from victims’ standpoint to conduct RJ in prisons

  8. Recommendations for consideration • RJ pre-release – offenders to be asked prior to release if they are willing to meet their victims - victims to be approached and assisted to meet if willing; if not, then RJ without victims – supporters only • RJ with suspended sentences – ‘sword of Damocles’ relating to compliance with RJ undertakings • RJ as part of community sentences

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