The Sentencing Council has this week published new guidelines to sentencing theft offences, along with its response to consultation submissions on this topic.
The new guidelines take an important step, marking a distinction between the material value and the emotional value of items stolen from the victims. The assessment of harm to the victim now contains not only financial harm and inconvenience, but emotional distress, fear and loss of confidence caused by the crime, as well as the non-monetary value of the items taken.
The RJC has published an information pack on restorative justice for the judiciary. The pack helps magistrates, crown court judges and court staff to understand restorative justice, the benefits it can bring to all parties involved in a crime and the role that the judiciary can play in the process.
I recently had an informal meeting with the Cabinet Office to discuss social impact bonds. It was purely an exploratory discussion, as part of our work to help the restorative practice field develop and grow.
The RJC has published an information pack on restorative justice for the judiciary. The pack helps magistrates, crown court judges and court staff to understand restorative justice, the benefits it can bring to all parties involved in a crime and the role that the judiciary can play in the process.
Restorative justice received widespread coverage yesterday when BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour featured a powerful interview with Emma, a rape survivor who met her attacker in a restorative justice conference.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) is running a campaign themed ‘I’ve got something to say’ to mark this year’s International Restorative Justice Week (15-22 November).
The campaign seeks to increase general awareness and understanding of restorative justice and emphasise the benefits for victims.
The theme highlights how restorative justice can help empower victims, give them a voice and help them to move forward with their lives.
Last week I attended Restorative Gloucestershire's excellent annual conference. Not only was it great to hear about their work and meet some of their very impressive volunteers, but it was also an opportunity to hear Rosalyn Boyce speak.
The RJC is pleased to announce that Surrey Youth Support Service (Surrey YSS) has achieved the Restorative Service Quality Mark (RSQM), demonstrating that they are providing the public with a safe, high quality restorative service. Surrey YSS joins 20 other organisations working in criminal justice, care and education that have achieved the RSQM.
