Any thoughts on restorative justice in the ACT?

RJ is far more powerful in most cases than what a court seems to want to do short of a term of imprisonment. It was interesting to note that the legal fraternity were up in arms about their exclusion from this process (oh what a shame).

The conference if run correctly can be a process that may turn a young offender around as they have to face the victim and explain their actions. If you just want to tick the box you go to kids court and get a slap on the wrist.

If the young person is willing to participate in the RJ process you should give it a go and really get an explanantion from the young person as to why they believed they had a right to enter your house and steal your property.

+1 gp, ConanOfCooma, willowtree, miz, and georgesgenitals.

I have had a personal experience of RJ, and can attest to its effectiveness. During my recalcitrant youf I got caught shoplifting (a pack of ciggies, as I recall). I could have been taken off to the children’s court and landed myself a slap on the wrist and a criminal wreck chord. I doubt I would have offended again, although anything’s possible when you’re young and stoopid.

Instead, I was one of the first people to go thru the RJ program in the ACT, which I understand was developed with the assistance of Prof Brathwaite from ANU. This was one of the most powerful experiences of my life. Having to sit with my parents, a friend from school, a teacher, the shop owner, his wife, and the cop that hauled me into the station when I got busted nearly did my head in. Having to look the dude in the eye and apologise might sound token, but the way they set things up during the course of the meeting really set the tone.

The shop owner and I agreed to a twelve month ban from his shop (quite a bummer considering it was over the road), and I offered to do any work about the place and write an official letter of apology. In return he agreed that the charges against me should be dropped. I have never stolen since. I was also able to get into a job that required a clean bill of health from the AFP when I finished school a few years later.

I’ve no doubt that RJ won’t work for everyone. If you’re willing to participate, however, I can attest to the potential of the program to change a young person’s behaviour. And if not, at least you’ll give the little toe rag some serious food for thought, and have the opportunity to get some stuff off your chest.

Perhaps talk to the people who run the RJ programs about what type of outcomes they want to achieve, and how your participation fits in with that.

I’m all for the perps having to talk to the victims. It makes the consequences more real.

RJ is a highly effective way to shut down criminal behaviour by making the offender realise how their criminal actions affect the victims. Good on the lad concerned for wanting to make amends.

It also can provide some level of closure to victims. I agree with gp and willowtree’s comments, and strongly encourage you to participate.

re Conan’s comments: RJ is ideal for juvenile offenders. It MAY be an alternative to ‘time’, but is likely to be much more effective than just chucking kids into Bimberi (where they just learn new tricks and don’t learn to face up to their victims). Crime prevention strategies like RJ prevent entrenchment of criminality, consequently (1) saving the community from crime and (2) saving mega$$$ by halting a potential life of crime and incarceration.

Restorative Justice used well provides victims a vehicle to meet and address offender/s in regard to how they feel about their situation. Used with young offenders the process provides a face to their victim/s and an opportunity to develop empathy. Restorative Justice hours allocated to the offender should be to work with and on community based projects that connect the offender with their community and increase sense of belonging.

Normally this is a way for the offender to receive some sort of early release.

This program has been around for many years. It CAN be very powerful if managed correctly. Schools use a modified program for behaviour management, and when a problem is extreme, can organise ‘conferences’ where most people end up crying and deeply moved.

Done badly, it can be tick box time. If the other two young gentlemen have not chosen this option, it can’t be forced upon them, as that is counter productive.

It has nothing to do with indigenous or otherwise. It is a step in preventing people from ending up locked up. Go in there and be honest, and they will too. Don’t go looking for revenge or payback, as this is not the aim. I hope it goes well.