More ‘face-to-face’ justice for victims of crime

At least £29m will be made available over the next three years for restorative justice – the process of bringing those whose lives have been ruined by crime or conflict together with those responsible for the harm.

A recent study by the Ministry of Justice linked the conferencing process with a 14 per cent cut in re-offending, while 85 per cent of victims who took part said
they were satisfied with the experience.

Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and charities will receive the funding, which has been recovered from offenders, Justice Minister Damian Green confirmed.

Mr Green said: “Many victims
of crime get to see sentences handed down in the courts,
but it’s not always enough
to help them move on with their lives.

“Restorative justice gives victims the opportunity to look offenders in the eye and explain to them the real impact the crime has had on their life.

“The process also provides a chance for offenders to face the consequences of their actions.

“Restorative justice is not a soft option and will not lead to offenders escaping punishment.

“Crimes of a serious nature will continue to be progressed through the courts.”

For the remaining six months of the current financial year, £5m has been provided for restorative justice, of which £3.85m will be distributed to PCCs.

A further £10m is earmarked for 2014-15 and at least £14m has been set aside to be spent in 2015-16.

Just over £1m was spent by the Ministry of Justice in 2012-13.

Gaynor McKeown, lead on restorative justice at independent charity Victim Support, struck a temperate note.

She said: “Victims tell us that they want to see offenders punished, but also they don’t want to see their offender commit another crime.

“Our work shows that when
restorative justice is planned around the victim’s wishes, it helps them move on with their lives, and can reduce crime by getting offenders to appreciate
the impact of their actions on
others.”