RJC publishes results of mapping exercise of restorative justice provision

The RJC is pleased to announce the results of a mapping exercise of restorative justice provision in the criminal justice sector. Building on the results of a similar project undertaken last year, the project aimed to gather up to date information on restorative justice provision across the country. Findings are now available on a new database, designed for both victims and professionals, on the RJC website.

Conducted by the Institute for Criminal Policy Research (ICPR), the mapping project was a national survey of agencies and organisations involved in restorative justice provision. Supported by the Ministry of Justice, and with the help of the National Offender Management Service and the Youth Justice Board, the survey was disseminated among a wide range of stakeholders.

ICPR received 298 responses from service providers within all 42 police and crime commissioner areas. In addition to prisons, local authorities and police areas, 93 youth offending teams and 14 of the 21 community rehabilitation companies submitted information on their restorative justice provision. Respondents reported the delivery of nearly 7,000 face to face meetings and indirect restorative justice activities last year.

The resulting RJC database has been developed for two purposes – for victims to be able to locate restorative justice providers in their area and for professionals working in the field to understand provision in more detail. Two-thirds (67%) of organisations that completed the survey said their service could be contacted directly by a victim wishing to take part in restorative justice. 90% of providers offered both face to face meetings as well as letter exchange and shuttle mediation.

The RJC’s chief executive officer, Jon Collins, said: “We are delighted to have received so many responses to our second mapping exercise. The new database will help professionals to build on their service and make contact with other agencies in their area.

“Our hope is that this project will further our work to enable even more victims to benefit from being able to access restorative justice. We would urge any new service to add their details to the database to ensure that it remains accurate and current.”

Read the national mapping report here.

Find out more about restorative justice provision on the RJC’s database here.