APCC welcomes Justice Committee’s report on Restorative Justice
APCC welcomes Justice Committee’s report on Restorative Justice
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners welcome the Justice Committee’s report on restorative justice (RJ), published today. High quality restorative justice, available to victims at all stages of the criminal justice system, has the capacity to have a profound effect on reducing reoffending and in improving victim confidence.
Vera Baird QC, Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria and Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, who gave oral evidence to the committee, said;
“To mitigate the “post-code lottery” nature of the current system, both Katy Bourne, the Sussex PCC and myself advocated ring-fencing funding for restorative justice. While the Justice Committee did not think this was necessary, we strongly welcome the recommendation that the Ministry of Justice consult PCCs to ensure there is sufficient capacity to feasibly introduce an entitlement to RJ under the Victims’ Code. We remain of the view that ring fencing would be wise in order to give greater drive to RJ, however, as with the devolution of responsibility for victims’ services, PCCs have shown we have the capability to ensure victims’ have access to RJ services of the highest standard.
“It is very important that restorative justice is victim focused. The committee does not wish to rule out a restorative justice approach for domestic violence and sexual offences. However, the power dynamic and the control exercised by domestic violence perpetrator over the victim and its impact of undermining the victims self-determination mean that even a highly trained RJ expert will have difficulty in ensuring that s/he is joining RJ in her own interests and with free will. We agree with Theresa May who said, at this years Police Federation Conference, that it is inappropriate for domestic abuse”
ENDS