The key aim of the project is to initiate an international debate that will assist the development of improved practices, better informed policy and more grounded research on restorative justice. The project will lead to a publication and the production of evidence based policy recommendations at a time when governments, the EU and international bodies such as the UN are seeking for effective, low cost, non-traditional crime reduction options that also serve the victim and the sense of justice and fairness in society.
Another aim of the project is to bring together key names in the field of restorative justice who are working on research, practice and policy but have not been able to communicate with each other before. This will help information exchange and the production of more informed, grounded policy recommendations.
Finally, the seminar will explore any gaps in the area of accreditation and standards of restorative justice. Pulling together the excellent work that has been done by a number of organisations will allow the movement to reflect on what has been done and, in consultation, decide what remains to be achieved.
What is restorative justice?
Restorative Justice is an ethos with practical goals, among which is to restore harm by including affected parties in a (direct or indirect) encounter and a process of understanding through voluntary and honest dialogue.
Restorative justice adopts a fresh approach to conflicts and their control, retaining at the same time certain rehabilitative goals" (Gavrielides 2007).
Click here for a short lecture by Prof. John Braithwaite, Australian National University.
Click here for a presentaton by Prof. Mark Umbreit on mediation
Background information & methodology
It has been almost 3 years since the European Institute of Crime Prevention and Control affiliated with the United Nations (HEUNI) published Gavrielides T (2007) “Restorative justice theory and practice: addressing the discrepancy”. The book's fundings and recommendations were based on five surveys conducted over a period of 7 years some focusing on the use of restorative justice in the UK, others covering international practices and others examining serious and complex cases.
There is consensus in the literature that there is still a long way to go before the restorative justice movement can safely claim that its practitioners, researchers and policy makers are all moving in the same direction.
To collect new and additional evidence that will help bridge the persistent gap in the restorative justice movement, the project will carry out fieldwork in the form of a series of expert, international seminars. These will be carried out in partnership with the International Centre for Comparative Criminological Research (ICCCR) at Open University.
The first seminar took place on the 22nd of November and focused on current opportunities, gaps and challenges for restorative justice in the UK. The second and third seminars are due to take place between January – June 2011.
IARS - ICCCR restorative justice expert seminars 2010-11
22nd November expert seminar, held at Open University, Camden Town Campus
To download the press release, presentation and other information on the seminar please click here
To find out about future seminars, how to get involved as a volunteer, a participant, a speaker or a funder please contact Dr. Theo Gavrielides
Project related news
December 2011 - Restorative Justice & Young People in Custody
November 2011 - IARS meets Europe to devise a strategy on restorative justice
November 2011 - The recession, criminality and the role of restorative justice
July 2011 - Foresee Research Group launch restorative justice tool kit for schools
May 2011 - Restorative justice is back on the agenda
November 2010 - Press Release: Restorative justice is ready to be put to far broader use
