Restorative justice benefits both victim and criminal, says facilitator

Restorative justice, which brings victims and offenders together in a facilitated meeting, is more beneficial than prison time alone, restorative justice facilitator Fiona Landon told an AUT press conference today.

She believes restorative justice benefits both victims and offenders.

Landon said in the traditional justice system, the victim hears all the case developments “second hand” after reporting the crime to the police.

Through restorative justice, the victim has a chance to confront the offender and describe the impact the crime had on their life. This gives the offender an opportunity to understand the effects of their actions.

“This can reduce offending,” said Landon.

But old-fashioned justice measures being discussed by the new Government, such proposed boot camps for youth offenders, may undermine the positive developments on the restorative justice front.

Landon said of the proposed boot camps: “There is this belief that criminals need to be taught discipline and self-control. In my experience criminals have grown up in harsh environments and mentoring and support is more likely to help them.”

Landon said the restorative justice youth model had its birth in New Zealand, and then spread to other parts of the world. The adult version has had funding in New Zealand since 2001.

Landon also said restorative justice is the answer to bullying in schools, as it gives those harmed an opportunity to have a voice.

“It’s the answer to the culture,” she said.

But despite all the positive outcomes restorative justice is providing, Landon said it’s a critically underfunded part of the justice system.

She hopes that in the future more people will come to realise the benefits restorative justice offers society.