Restorative Justice Conference Schemes (Theft)
Life periods served
Where the program was applied
Country of application
Description

This is a restorative justice procedure that proposes meetings between victims and offenders (robbery) to discuss the crimes committed and their consequences and implications for the future, with the objective of resolving the conflict under the mediation of a facilitating police officer.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed an increase in victims’ and offenders’ satisfaction with the restorative justice process. Offenders were less likely to reoffend when they felt the conference had made them realize the harm done, when they wanted to meet the victim, when they were more actively involved in the conference, and when they felt it had been helpful. There was no significant impact on reconviction rates over a two-year period [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Shapland, J., Atkinson, A., Atkinson, H., Dignan, J., Edwards, L., Hibbert, J., Howes, M., Johnstone, J., Robinson, G. & Sorsby, A. (2008). Does restorative justice affect reconviction? The fourth report from the evaluation of three schemes (Ministry of Justice Research Series núm. 10). City of Westminster, London (England). Ministry of Justice (UK). https://restorativejustice.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/files/D…