I’ve been working for the RJC for almost a year now and there’s one question that I’ve been asked more often than any other in that time, by everyone from members of my family to members of parliament: ‘What is restorative justice?’
For somebody like me, immersed in the justice system, giving a long, detailed and highly technical answer is the easy way out. I can describe the minutiae with the best of them. But that approach won’t work with people who are, let’s face it, just being polite.
The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) has launched the fourth in a series of information packs designed to help increase the use of restorative justice within the criminal justice system. The Restorative justice information pack for Community Rehabilitation Companies and the National Probation Service was developed in collaboration with key people in the probation field and provides information on the delivery of high quality restorative justice within the new probation landscape.
The RJC has published an information pack to raise awareness of restorative justice among magistrates. The pack has been developed with the help of the Magistrates’ Association, the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service. It provides an overview of key information magistrates need to know regarding restorative justice.
The Restorative Justice Council has published four information packs to help criminal justice professionals to make greater use of restorative justice within their work.
The RJC is pleased to announce the launch of Moving on, a short film about restorative justice. Produced by the award-winning team at Catsnake Film, Moving on brings to life the way many victims continue to suffer the effects of crime long after the event and how restorative justice can help.
Moving on shows Lucy, the victim of a mugging, replaying events endlessly in her mind. Only when she meets the mugger in a restorative justice conference is she able to put the incident behind her – it gives her a chance to explain the impact of the crime, and humanises him in the process.
Jon Collins, chief executive officer of the RJC talks about his first six months in the role and his vision for the future. Jon also discusses the RJC's AGM, held during International Restorative Justice Week (16-23 November).
The RJC has identified key priorities for the incoming government following the 2015 general election. This document provides an overview for our members and the public.
