|
|
 |
| |
‘Community courts’ could cut reoffending
“RESTORATIVE justice” schemes in which rule-breakers say sorry and make amends to victims without going through the courts should be introduced in every secondary school, councillors urged last week.
“Community courts”, which could allow victims to tell adult offenders about the impact of their crimes, should also be explored, according to the Town Hall’s Regeneration Review Committee.
The committee of eight councillors was reviewing a pilot project run in five wards, and in two secondary schools and a pupil referral unit, in which police or school staff resolved conflicts, usually by allowing the victim to say how they were affected.
Councillor George Allan was chairman of the committee when it began to look into restorative justice last year. He said: “The basic principle of restorative justice offers us a number of ways to improve the quality of life of residents through more effective ways of dealing with many forms of wrongdoing and injury.”
Restorative justice schemes vary across the country but are based on evidence that facing up to the consequences of crime or bad behaviour can stop people – and especially young people – reoffending. Islington’s scheme, launched in February 2008, made 55 “interventions” in schools or on estates in its first six months.
Most were what are called “level 1” or street offences, which include minor assaults and criminal damage, though some were described as “level 2” – “issues such as harassment and deep-seated community problems”. |
 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
