Deputy PM supports restorative justice

In a speech on Liberal Democrat justice policy today, the deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has committed the Liberal Democrats to supporting more use of restorative justice in care homes. He said that the Liberal Democrats: “Will do more to promote restorative justice for children raised in care, so they are not dragged into the criminal justice system for behaviour that, for other children, would have been dealt with within the family home.”

Responding to the speech, Jon Collins, chief executive officer of the Restorative Justice Council, said:

“At present, young people in care are disproportionately represented across the criminal justice system, with disruptive and challenging behaviour in care homes too often resulting in a call to the police in situations where parents would deal with it themselves. Using restorative justice within care homes can dramatically reduce the criminalisation of young people in the care system, helping them to get a positive start in life and reducing demands on the police and the criminal justice system. All care homes should be incentivised and encouraged to use restorative justice to manage challenging behaviour by young people in a constructive way.

“Restorative justice works for young people, teaching them to connect and communicate successfully. These are skills that they are able to take into adult life. Restorative justice also enables care homes to manage conflict efficiently and effectively, creating a safer working environment for staff and reducing demand on the police at a time when resources are stretched. Nick Clegg’s commitment to the use of restorative justice in care homes is welcome. Ahead of the forthcoming general election, all parties should commit to embedding restorative justice into every care home across England and Wales.”