Commissioner welcomes inquiry outcome supporting restorative justice
North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner is welcoming a Parliamentary report into restorative justice, the process which brings those harmed by crime together with those responsible.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Restorative Justice inquiry found there were huge benefits to the practice and called for more to be done to roll it out more widely across the country.
Philip Allott is welcoming these conclusions as a supporter of the ability of restorative justice to reduce re-offending and keep communities safe and feeling safe.
The Commissioner said:
“I am proud that in North Yorkshire and York, our commissioned restorative justice provider, Restorative Solutions, is committed to delivering high quality, victim-focused restorative practice; and were represented on the advisory group for this inquiry.
“Here, any victim of crime has the opportunity to meet with their offender, with the support of a restorative justice professional, and I know this – for many – supports them to cope and recover after an offence takes place.
“This report recognises the importance of what we do here and emphasises that victim-led restorative practice should not be underestimated. 95 per cent of victims who participated in the North Yorkshire and York service in the year 2020-21 reported an improvement in their feelings of safety, felt their ‘cope and recovery’ goals had been met and would recommend the service to others.
“I particularly welcome the recommendation to reinstate minimum ring-fenced funding for restorative justice services to support greater consistency across different parts of the country and ensure improved outcomes for victims. We will continue to review and develop our service here to support this and our efforts to reduce re-offending.”
Over the last 12 months, Restorative Solutions has introduced a number of new initiatives in North Yorkshire and York including:
- Community Resolution Disposal with automatic referrals into the restorative justice service, focussing on crimes with an identified victim.
- The introduction of a Hate Crime Awareness Course.
- Greater links with Diversion Services
- A pilot project with the Integrated Offender Management Unit to embed restorative justice practice in what they do.
What is Restorative Justice
Further information on the North Yorkshire service can be found on the Commissioner’s website, by contacting Supporting Victims or Restorative Solutions by emailing RJNorthYorkshire@restorativesolutions.org.uk or by phoning 01423 546175.