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Restorative Justice. Prof. Dr. Dobrinka Chankova South-West University, Bulgaria JSPS Fellow at Tokiwa University 9 th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance, 17-29 August 2009. What is Restorative Justice?. a new paradigm of criminal justice? - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Restorative Justice
Prof. Dr. Dobrinka Chankova
South-West University, Bulgaria
JSPS Fellow at Tokiwa University
9th Asian Postgraduate Course on Victimology and Victim Assistance, 17-29 August 2009
What is Restorative Justice?
a new paradigm of criminal justice? a new way of thinking about crime? a new lifestyle?
History of Restorative Justice (RJ)
Old traditional practices of Maori, Native Indians of America, Africans and Aboriginals
A new Western wave of RJ began with the first Victim-Offender Reconciliation Programme - an experiment in Kitchener, Ontario,Canada, in the early 1970s’ when a youth probation officer convinced a judge that two youths convicted of vandalism should meet the victims of their crimes
History of Restorative Justice
The Kitchener experiment evolved into an organized Victim-Offender Reconciliation Programme funded by church donations and government grants with the support of various community groups
Following several other Canadian initiatives, Restorative practices have spread throughout the United States and Europe
History of Restorative Justice
At the end of 1980s Family group conferences were developed in New Zealand
Since then there has been a proliferation of new and varied models of RJ
Now RJ is truly on the world map
Basic Assumptions
Shortcomings of criminal justice and its incapacity to assure peace in social life
Nils Christie – “Conflicts as property”- the state and lawyers “have stolen” conflicts from the parties involved and have deprived them of any possibility to independently reach resolution; hence, conflicts should be “returned back“ to their proper “owners”
Basic Assumptions
Crime has its origin in social conditions and relationships in the community
Crime prevention is dependant on communities taking some responsibilities for remedying those conditions that cause crime
Importance of Informal justice and Victim Rights movements
Definition of RJ
a process whereby all the parties with a stake in a particular offence come together to resolve collectively how to deal with the aftermath of the offence and its implications for the future (Marshall 1999)
Parties with a stake in an offence
The victim The offender The families of each Any other members of their respective
communities who may be affected, or who may be able to contribute to prevention or recurrence
Coming together
May occur as one event May occur through a series of
meetings
Facilitator
Neutral person with the skills: To prepare people for the restorative
process To ensure that it progresses in a
safe and civilized manner To guide parties through difficult
phases
The aftermath of the offence
Ensuring the material well-being or satisfaction of the victim
Attention to the victims emotional needs Resolution of any conflict between the
victim and the offender Giving the offender a chance to absolve
his/her own feelings of guilt through apology and reparation
The implications for the future
Tackling the reasons for the offending
Producing a plan for rehabilitation and agreement among the family and community members present on a system of support for the offender to ensure that he/ she is able to adhere to the plan
Philosophy of Restorative Justice
RJ provides an expanded role for victims
RJ requires offenders to take responsibility for their actions and for the harm they have caused
RJ gets the community involved Key word - RESTORATION
RJ Outcomes
apology restitution monetary compensation for damage voluntary activities obligation for therapy, etc.
Principles of Restorative Justice
Making room for personal involvement of those mainly concerned (particularly the victim and the offender, but also their families and communities)
Seeing crime problems in their social context A forward looking (or preventative) problem-solving
orientation Flexibility of practice (creativity)
Principles of Restorative Justice
Voluntary participation, based on informed choice
Neutrality and impartiality of RJ practitioners
Respect for rights and dignity of persons
Promotion of community safety and social harmony
Paradigms of Justice (H. Zehr)
Old ParadigmRetributive Justice
New ParadigmRestorative Justice
1 Crime defined as violation of the state
Crime defined as violation of one person by another
2 Focus on establishing blame, on guilt, on past (did he/she do it ?)
Focus on problem-solving, on liabilities and obligations, on future (what should be done?)
3 Adversarial relationships and process normative
Dialog and negotiation normative
Paradigms of Justice (H. Zehr)
Old ParadigmRetributive Justice
New ParadigmRestorative Justice
4 Imposition of pain to punish and deter / prevent
Restitution as a means of restoring both parties, reconciliation / restoration as goal
5 One social injury replaced by another
Focus on repair of social injury
6 Community on sideline, represented by state
Community as facilitator in restorative process
Paradigms of justice (H. Zehr)
Old ParadigmRetributive justice
New ParadigmRestorative justice
7 Encouragement of competitive, individualistic values
Encouragement of mutuality
8 Action directed from state to offender:-victim ignored-offender passive
Victim’s and offender’s roles recognized
Paradigms of justice (H. Zehr)
Old ParadigmRetributive justice
New ParadigmRestorative justice
9 Offender accountability defined as taking punishment
Offender accountability defined as understanding impact of action and helping decide how to make things right
10 Offence defined in purely legal terms, devoid of moral, social, economic, political dimensions
Offence understood in whole complex: moral, social, economic, political
Paradigms of Justice (H. Zehr)
Old ParadigmRetributive Justice
New ParadigmRestorative Justice
11 Stigma of crime unremovable Stigma of crime removable through restorative action
12 No encouragement of repentance and forgiveness
Possibilities for repentance and forgiveness
13 Dependence upon proxy professionals
Direct involvement by participants
Key RJ values(D. Van Ness)
Encounter: Create opportunities for victims, offenders and community members who want to do so to meet to discuss the crime and its aftermath
Amends: Expect offenders to take steps to repair the harm they have caused
Key RJ values(D. Van Ness)(cont.)
Reintegration: Seek to restore victims and offenders to whole, contributing members of society
Inclusion: Provide opportunities for parties with a stake in a specific crime to participate in its resolution
Other RJ values
mutual respect acknowledgment openness empowerment connectedness tolerance integrity encouragement sharing ideas importance of feelings, needs and rights
Basic RJ skills needed
remaining impartial and non-judgmental active, empathic, non-judgmental listening respecting the perspective of all involved empowering participants compassion patience sensitivity acute observation of participant body-language warmth
Supra-national instruments of RJ
United Nations : The 1985 Declaration of Basic Principles
on Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power - «informal mechanisms for the resolution of disputes, including mediation, arbitration and customary justice or indigenous practices, should be utilized where appropriate to facilitate conciliation and redress to victims».
Supra-national instruments of RJ (cont.)
1990 Standard Minimum Rules for Non-custodial Measures (the Tokyo Rules)
1999 ECOSOC resolution on the «Development and implementation of mediation and restorative justice measures in criminal justice».
Supra-national instruments of RJ (cont.)
2002 ECOSOC resolution on Basic Principles on the Use of Restorative Justice Programmes in Criminal Matters
Restorative justice was on the agenda of the last two UN Crime Congresses (Vienna, 2000; Bangkok, 2005)
2006 UN Handbook on Restorative justice programs
Supra-national instruments of RJ (cont.)
Council of Europe Recommendation No. R (99)19 on
mediation in penal matters Recommendation No (2006)8 on
assistance to crime victims
Supra-national instruments of RJ (cont.)
European Union Council Framework Decision of 15
March 2001 on the standing of victims in criminal proceedings
RJ models
Victim-offender mediation Family group conferencing Community conferencing Sentencing circles (sometimes called
”peacemaking circles”) Restorative cautioning Restorative conferencing
Victim-offender mediation
Universal and “classic” RJ model Any process whereby the victim and
the offender are enabled, if they freely consent, to participate actively in the resolution of matters arising from the crime through the help of an impartial third party (mediator)
Widely applied throughout the world
Family group conferencing
This process brings together the victim, offender, family, friends and key supporters of both, and possibly representatives of agencies, e.g. social services and probation, in deciding how to address the aftermath of the crime.
The meeting is facilitated by an independent facilitator.
The model is designed mainly for juveniles.
Community conferencing
A term mainly used for a process similar to the family group conferencing, for adult offenders.
In some places there are procedural variations, for example the facilitator is a police officer, victims may also be encouraged to bring their extended families and supporters, etc.
Sentencing circles
this is a community directed process designed to develop consensus among community members, victims, victim supporters, offender, offender supporters, judges, prosecutors, defense counsel, police and court workers on an appropriate sentencing plan that addresses the concerns of all interested parties
Restorative cautioning
A process pioneered in the UK by Thames Valley Police.
Uses the family group conference method to caution offenders for a wide variety of criminal offences.
The offender is encouraged to think about the effects of his or her actions on the victim, but the victim is not present.
Restorative conferencing
This normally accompanies a warning similar to a restorative caution, but supporters, as well as victim and offender, meet together in a conference with a trained facilitator.
Outcome agreements set out what the offender will do to address the harm done.
Reparation and also involvement in a rehabilitative programme – to address the underlying causes of offending behaviour – may be agreed.
Clarification
Sometimes the terms Restorative practices, Restorative process or Restorative programs are used instead of RJ or RJ models, with the same contents.
Victim-offender mediation model scheme
Initially preparatory meetings of the mediator with all parties in conflict to get them agree to mediation, considering that mediation is a voluntary process, are to be organized.
If all sides have agreed to meet, a suitable time and safe and comfortable place has to be found.
Mediation session
1st stage. Introduction 2nd stage. Story-telling 3rd stage. Problem- solving 4th stage. Agreement 5th stage. Closure
+ monitoring meeting
1st stage. Introduction
The mediator welcomes parties. Explaining purpose, establishing
guidelines and contracting the rules. Establishing a sense of safety;
conveying respect and belief in the disputants' capacity to find a way forward.
Mediator explains his role.
2nd stage. Story-telling
The mediator gives each person an opportunity to explain what has happen from their perspective, and what led up to it; to share thoughts and feelings he had during the time of the conflict and at the moment and talk about who else may have been affected.
The mediator encourages both sides to listen to and recognise the other's point of view.
Reframing the stories.
3rd stage. Problem-solving
Identifying problems and needs and exploring the opportunities for reaching a mutually acceptable agreement.
Supporting those in conflict to identify the key issues, and to attack the problem, not the person.
Encouraging both sides to find ways forward- a solution how the things can be put right and the harm can be repaired or at least new ways of seeing the situation.
4th stage. Agreement
Selection of solution which both parties can agree to.
Clarification what has been agreed, perhaps committing this to paper.
Ensuring understanding of agreement and securing commitment to agreement.
5th stage. Closure
Acknowledgment of the progress made, even if no resolution has been reached.
Some models include a monitoring meeting some time after mediation session to review the accomplishment of the agreement.
Restorative conferencing
In the center of restorative conferencing is the theory of “re-integrative shaming” (Braithwaite 1989) arguing that the offenders should be confronted with the full consequences of their action, but in a situation of support and care.
A short scenario of restorative conferencing
The facilitator communicates personally with all involved prior to the conference.
During the conference every person tells his story.
After the main actors have spoken the word is usually given to their supporters (parents) and school (society) representatives.
A short scenario of restorative conferencing (cont.)
After everyone has had the opportunity to speak, the facilitator returns to the offender and she/he is given the opportunity to say what she/he could do to repair the harm.
The victim is asked what she/he needs in the first instance.
Signing of an agreement A follow-up meeting
Family group conferencing (FGC)
These practices are useful when a plan is needed to provide support to a young person, or their family in making changes.
FGC draw on the strength and resources of a wide extended family network, and are convened in neutral venues by trained independent co-ordinators.
Family group conferencing (cont.)
3 stages:- professionals share information with family members and provide consultancy on options for the future help - family members have private time of their own - at the end key professionals return with the coordinator to hear and record the family plan and make arrangements for monitoring and review
Legal status of RJ models in Europe according to a recent survey
50%
10%10%
20%
10% 50%-legislationadopted
10%-adoption oflegislation in progress
10%-planning anddrafting of relevant bills
20%-lack of legislativeframework
10%-other
Territorial application of RJ models in Europe
20%
30%
50%
20% - nationwide
30% - regional
50% - local
Stages of application
10%10%
40%
20%
20% 10%-pre-charge
10%-pre-trial
40%-sentencing
20%-post-sentence
20%-other
The most common types of offences referred
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Violent offences
Propertyoffences
All
Types of victims involved
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
individuals
community
legal entities orcorporatevictimsstate
Main reasons which led to the emergence of RJ models
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8better serving the interestsof the victim
better serving the interestsof the offender
better serving the interestsof the community
dissatisfaction with thepreviously used models
improving the publicconfidence in the justiceprocess
more adequate answer to newly emerged social problems
improving communitycohesion
developing strong andactive communities
effective crime prevention
reducing courts’ caseload
New developments of RJ
Criminal justice – a “preserved” territory for RJ
Application of restorative practices in schools
Application of RJ in community matters Application of RJ in prison settings Application of restorative practices at work
places etc. However, the “boom” of using RJ
practices is still forthcoming.
Evaluation of RJ
High participants’ satisfaction rates High restitution completion rate Reduced fear among victims Reduced criminal behavior by
offenders
Conclusion
RJ is not a panacea. Not all offences, problems and difficult situations could be successfully solved trough it.
If in a given environment a given model produces good results it should not be taken for granted that it will happen everywhere.
Some risks always exist and the outcomes from the application of the same method in a similar situation in a different context could be controversial.
Conclusion (cont.)
There are many different ways of introducing RJ.
There have been trials and errors. But definitely this approach could
transform the way in which many societies are currently organized, promote the restorative climate and make them safer, happier places.
Further reading
Kirchhoff, G. (2005) “Mediation in Criminal Justice: Theoretical Considerations and Practical Consequences”, in Vetere, E. and Pedro, D. (eds.) Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power: Festschrift in honour of Irene Melup, Bangkok
Weitekamp, E. and Kerner, H.-J. (eds.) (2002) Restorative justice: theoretical foundations, Cullompton Willan Publishing
Further reading
Zehr, H. (1995) Changing lenses: a new focus for crime and justice, 2nd ed., Scottdale, PA, Herald Press
Zehr, H.(2000) Little book on restorative justice, Intercourse, PA, Good Books
Johnstone, G. & Van Ness, D. (eds.) Handbook of Restorative Justice, Cullompton: Willan Publishing
Further reading
Johnstone, G. (2000) Restorative justice. Ideas, values, debates, Cullompton, Willan Publishing
Johnstone, G. (ed.) (2003) A restorative justice reader. Texts, sources, context, Cullompton, Willan Publishing
Van Ness, D. (2002) ‘Creating Restorative Systems’, in L. Walgrave (ed.) Restorative Justice and the Law, Cullompton: Willan Publishing
Van Ness, D. and Strong, K. (2002) Restoring Justice, 2nd ed., Cincinnati, OH: Anderson Publishing
Further reading
Aertsen, I., Mackay, R., Pelikan, C., Willemsens, J. and Wright, M. (2004) Rebuilding community connections-mediation and restorative justice in Europe, Strasbourg: Council of Europe Publishing
Wright, M.(2008) 2nd ed. Restoring respect for justice: a symposium, Winchester: Waterside Press
Wright, M. (2006) ‘Restorative Justice and the Victim: The English Experience’, International Perspectives in Victimology, Vol.2 No 1, July 2006
Web-sites links
Restorative Justice Online www.restorativejustice.org European Forum for Restorative Justice- www.euforumrj.org International Institute of Restorative Practices
www.iirp.org www.realjustice.org Restorative Justice Consortium-
www.restorativejustise.org.uk
Thank you for your attention!
Time for questions