Restorative justice: A ray of hope
Lynda Farrington writes about an inspiring Quaker event in Swindon
Robert Buckland, the Conservative MP for Swindon South, described the event as ‘the best public meeting I have ever attended’. It was full. It was business-like. It was factual. It was powerful – and it was Quaker-led. It was one of the most memorable events of late 2011 and it was about restorative justice. Tim Newell, the Swarthmore lecturer in 2000, was in the chair and outlined the principles. Tony Aldridge, a local restorative justice facilitator, explained the practice. Robert Buckland, barrister and MP, gave us overall figures and positive government plans. Crime victims told us of their experiences and staff from Thames Valley showed a range of uses for restorative justice.
In a gloomy world, the event was a sunburst of hope, enthusiasm and optimism. The people who attended were practitioners who had accumulated many years of experience in the field and others who had interesting and inspiring stories to tell. There were individuals who had spent, for example, thirty-seven years as a prison governor, thirty years working in the police force, or twenty years working as both a prosecuting and defending barrister. They were complemented by courageous women who spoke openly of their experiences of burglary and rape. All of the contributors welcomed the chance to get across the message that restorative justice works and that it is cost effective.
Robert Buckland said: ‘Don’t talk of “tough” or “soft” on crime, talk of “smart” or “stupid”. Restorative justice is smart. The need to save money can be positive. It would be a missed opportunity not to expand restorative justice now.’
Tony Aldridge commented: ‘It can change a victim’s perception of the crime.’ Debbie, whose house was burgled by three youths and had met the youngest of them, who was thirteen, said: ‘He was a boy at the end of the day. I would like to put him on the right track.’
Restorative justice is about taking people seriously and looking after their needs. Claire, a rape victim who had taken the trouble to travel from Kent to Swindon for this meeting, said: ‘My attacker was quickly caught and quickly convicted but it was no help to me. I was in court but nobody looked at me and nobody cared. Interest in me stopped on the court steps.’ Her attacker was forced to see her as a real person. He admitted: ‘It tore a hole in me. I could not stop thinking about the damage I caused.’
There is, as yet, no cohesive structure of restorative justice throughout the country but there are pockets of experience and money is being made available for training and accreditation. Restorative justice has uses within communities and in organisations, such as schools, as well as with offenders before, during or after trial and committal. It has been proved to lower the reoffending rate as well as providing a safe space where victims can speak their truth.
The audience, who remained closely attentive throughout the two hours, were encouraged to leave their contact details to receive further information and to ‘go out and spread the word’ so that, as Tim Newell said, this ‘idea whose time has come’ can develop as fast as possible and from out of the chaos of crime can indeed come hope.
