University of Ulster and Restorative Practices Hugh Campbell, Tim Chapman and Derick Wilson

SOME RESTORATIVE TASKS EASE WITH DIFFERENT OTHERS REDUCING SOCIAL INEQUALITY

THE OTHER AS A GIFT NOT A THREAT OR AN ENEMY OUT TO KILL ME

ME OTHERS “HAVING A SECURE PLACE” RELATIONSHIPS MATTER-PERSONALLY AND STRUCTURALLY

THE VICTIM PAYS “They are all together: I am all alone” Scapegoating

SEPARATION MEETING TOGETHER POLITENESS AVOIDANCE Dynamics of Avoidance and Politeness

The Balanced Model Harm Community Person responsible for harm Injured party Community safety and reintegration Reducing risk and working towards a better life Accountability, protection and repairing the harm

Key Needs Safety Justice Control

Systems of recovery Meaning My story of what happened The feelings that arise from what happened. The needs that arise from these feelings What I want (Goals) Connectedness The availability of support from close relationships and networks (Social Capital) Control The ability to manage adversity through personal and external resources (Resilience)

The Restorative Practices Storytelling Expression of emotion Dialogue

Respect Really Expecting to See Potential Even when Concealed or Trapped

Northern Ireland and Restorative Practices Community – peace-building Community – anti-social behaviour Criminal Justice System Families and children Schools

Northern Ireland and Restorative Justice Community system Community restorative justice Ireland Alternatives NI State system Low risk – Police restorative cautioning Medium risk – Public Prosecution Service referral for diversionary conference by Youth Conference Service High risk – Youth Court referral by Youth Conference Service Priority young offenders programme Prison Service – rehabilitation and resettlement

Youth Conference Service Diploma in Restorative Practices National Training Award Priority Young Offenders programme RESPECT programme

Outcomes for Youth Conferences Number of youth conferences Over people have participated in a youth conference Victim attendance; 74% Victim and young person satisfaction; 90% and 95% 9 out of 10 victims prefer the youth conference to the traditional court process 94% successful completion of plans Reoffending 37.7 % Reoffending for all community disposals 52.1%

Prisons Certificate in Restorative Practices Restorative approach to resettlement of high risk prisoners Influence on the design of the new prison

Schools Awareness training Champions’ group trained in conferences Peer mediation training Ongoing bullying resolved

Children’s Units Programme Indicators Absconding9639 Total incidents recorded Violent incident reports Includes all incidents of restraint 3625 Incidents of restraints 1917 Police involvement (excluding absconding) 5536

Cost savings The cost of a youth conference in Northern Ireland is around £1500. Reduces court time, legal aid, the use of custody, harm to victims and further offending The number of young people sentenced to custody reduced from 139 in 2003 to 89 in The percentage of young people sent into custody in Northern Ireland reduced from 10% in 2004 to 7% in The ratio of in NI sentenced to custody in 2006 was 1:2265. In England and Wales it was 1:760.

The role of the University of Ulster Learning and practice development Organisational capacity building Civic society - Supporting a restorative network Research and development

University Programmes Undergraduate level Certificate – three modules Postgraduate Certificate – three modules Postgraduate Diploma – six modules Masters – dissertation or taught Short courses

Course participation Open Course 23 students Youth Conference Service 50 students Police Service 80 + students Community Restorative Justice 32 students Prison Service 18 Students Youth Justice Agency 18 Students Priority Young Offenders Programme 12 Students Family Group Conferences 30 Students

New programme Foundation skills Reflecting on RP Responding restoratively to people who have been harmed Responding restoratively to people responsible for harm Becoming an Advanced Practitioner Family group conference practice and processes Promoting a restorative society Restorative responses to sexual harm Restorative responses to serious and persistent harmful behaviour The restorative prison The restorative school The restorative community The restorative organisation The restorative children’s home Restorative practices and faith organisations

Contact

Family Group Conferences Used widely by Health and Social Care Trusts throughout Northern Ireland Evaluation 2005 Homefirst Community Trust, NI  Effectively managed and adheres to standards  Independent  Highly child centred  Families arrive at their own solutions  Decision making is aided by increased access to information  Promotes partnership with families  Highly transferable model  Cost effective way of avoiding statutory intervention