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16/03/2022
NI's First Ever Adult Restorative Justice Strategy
The first ever Adult Restorative Justice Strategy for Northern Ireland has been announced by Justice Minister Naomi Long.
The strategy, which runs from 2022-2027, has been developed with statutory, voluntary and community sector partners. It aims to better meet the needs of, and provide redress for the harm caused to victims of crime, and to provide a positive alternative to traditional justice responses when offending occurs.
Launching the strategy, Naomi Long said: "The use of restorative approaches in our youth justice system in Northern Ireland has long been a great success, but there has been no overarching strategic approach for its use in the adult system until now. A public consultation held in 2020 showed there was considerable support for the development of an Adult Strategy and my Department has now delivered on this.
"Our vision is that the use of restorative justice becomes second nature across the criminal justice system. We know from experience both here and elsewhere that when delivered professionally and sensitively, the restorative approach can bring significant benefits for the victim of crime, for individuals who have offended, and for families and communities."
Alongside the strategy, a multi-year action plan for implementation of the key priorities identified through the consultation process has also been developed.
The Minister added: "The Strategy and accompanying Action Plan provide an opportunity for the development and implementation of restorative approaches across the whole of the justice system, including its incorporation into formal court sanctions. Victim Support NI will be working with us to look at developing victim-initiated pathways to promote and encourage victims' engagement in the process."
Work to deliver on the strategy will also incorporate a number of recommendations made by two Judge-led reviews: Judge Marrinan's review on Hate Crime Legislation and Sir John Gillen's review of the Law and Procedures in Serious Sexual Offences in Northern Ireland, both of which proposed that the use of restorative justice should be explored to improve outcomes for victims of such crimes.
The strategy, which runs from 2022-2027, has been developed with statutory, voluntary and community sector partners. It aims to better meet the needs of, and provide redress for the harm caused to victims of crime, and to provide a positive alternative to traditional justice responses when offending occurs.
Launching the strategy, Naomi Long said: "The use of restorative approaches in our youth justice system in Northern Ireland has long been a great success, but there has been no overarching strategic approach for its use in the adult system until now. A public consultation held in 2020 showed there was considerable support for the development of an Adult Strategy and my Department has now delivered on this.
"Our vision is that the use of restorative justice becomes second nature across the criminal justice system. We know from experience both here and elsewhere that when delivered professionally and sensitively, the restorative approach can bring significant benefits for the victim of crime, for individuals who have offended, and for families and communities."
Alongside the strategy, a multi-year action plan for implementation of the key priorities identified through the consultation process has also been developed.
The Minister added: "The Strategy and accompanying Action Plan provide an opportunity for the development and implementation of restorative approaches across the whole of the justice system, including its incorporation into formal court sanctions. Victim Support NI will be working with us to look at developing victim-initiated pathways to promote and encourage victims' engagement in the process."
Work to deliver on the strategy will also incorporate a number of recommendations made by two Judge-led reviews: Judge Marrinan's review on Hate Crime Legislation and Sir John Gillen's review of the Law and Procedures in Serious Sexual Offences in Northern Ireland, both of which proposed that the use of restorative justice should be explored to improve outcomes for victims of such crimes.
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02 November 2005
Ministers assure no 'two-tier' justice system
Secretary of State Peter Hain has given an "absolute assurance" that community restorative justice schemes will not become an alternative to policing. Speaking after a meeting with the Policing Board in Belfast on Tuesday Mr Hain said he wanted to "nail the rumour" that community restorative justice was some kind of alternative to policing".
Ministers assure no 'two-tier' justice system
Secretary of State Peter Hain has given an "absolute assurance" that community restorative justice schemes will not become an alternative to policing. Speaking after a meeting with the Policing Board in Belfast on Tuesday Mr Hain said he wanted to "nail the rumour" that community restorative justice was some kind of alternative to policing".
03 May 2007
Restorative justice schemes backed
The government should fund four loyalist restorative justice schemes, the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice has said. Kit Chivers, the Criminal Justice inspector has said there was no evidence the schemes were a front for paramilitary activity.
Restorative justice schemes backed
The government should fund four loyalist restorative justice schemes, the Chief Inspector of Criminal Justice has said. Kit Chivers, the Criminal Justice inspector has said there was no evidence the schemes were a front for paramilitary activity.
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Naomi Long Highlights Benefits Of Restorative Justice
Restorative justice can bring transformational change and healing for victims, perpetrators and communities across the criminal justice spectrum, Naomi Long has told the second Restorative Justice Council Conference.
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27 February 2023
New Draft Protocol For Restorative Justice Published
A new draft protocol governing the use of restorative interventions in the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland, has been published by the Department of Justice. A review of the 2007 protocol was launched last year by the then Justice Minister, Naomi Long, with the overall aim of improving outcomes for victims, communities and defendants.
New Draft Protocol For Restorative Justice Published
A new draft protocol governing the use of restorative interventions in the criminal justice system in Northern Ireland, has been published by the Department of Justice. A review of the 2007 protocol was launched last year by the then Justice Minister, Naomi Long, with the overall aim of improving outcomes for victims, communities and defendants.
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