Restorative Interventions and Desistance Strategies -an evolving synergy to reduce offending

Some definitions before we proceed Restorative Justice Desistance Restorative Justice brings those harmed by crime or conflict and those responsible for the harm into communication, enabling everyone affected by a particular incident to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward. In the field of criminology, desistance is generally defined as the cessation of offending or other anti social behaviour i.e. behaviour change

Four Desistance Strategies – The Cornmarket Project 1. Individualising support using the SOC and COAIM system 2. Developing self-efficacy and confidence to change 3. The power of narrative, utilising the OARS strategies of MI 4. Building and sustaining hope – coproducing desistance

Promoting desistance and the ‘spirit’ of this approach, some prerequisites: The relationship between worker and client: The relationship between the client and worker is seen as pivotal in promoting or hindering desistance. McNeill 2002, described optimism, trust and loyalty as being essential to effective working relationships The use of a Motivational Interviewing approach: ‘People are more likely to be persuaded by what they say themselves than what we tell them to do’ - MI 3rd Edition

Individualising support using the Stages of Change Model SET BACK or RELAPSE PRECONTEMPLATION MAINTENANCE CONTEMPLATION ACTION PREPARATION

Offending Behaviour Accommodation Pro-Social Activities Anger and Emotion Management Attitudes and Cognitive Style Drug and Alcohol Misuse Lifestyle and Associates Relationships and Family Issues Training and Employability Financial Issues and Debt Using the ten target areas of the Change Outcome and Impact Measuring (COAIM) system The pioneering restorative justice scholar Bazemore wrote: ‘Johnny was not ‘rehabilitated because he……gained some new insights from counselling, but because an employer, his partner, his family and other adults eventually provided him with a job, familily ties, and a network of support’ - with acknowledgement to Shadd Maruna

Developing Self-Efficacy ) Belief in the possibility of change is an important motivator The client is responsible for choosing and carrying out personal change

Ordering Warning Threatening Arguing Lecturing Criticising Ridiculing Developing the ‘narrative’ - avoiding the ‘Roadblocks to Change’ Ordering Warning Threatening Arguing Lecturing Criticising Ridiculing

The power of ‘Narrative’ - Using the ‘OARS’ strategies “among the key challenges that desisting individuals face is to ‘make sense’ of their change in behavior with a convincing story (Maruna, S, 2001) Open Ended Questions Affirmation Reflective Listening Summary A O R S Co-producing Desistance: Social Enterprise/Social Cooperatives RePAIR (Restorative Practice and Inhibiting Recidivism) RJ Pilot Wexford

VaLues and Principles Response to crime should repair as much as possible the harm caused Offenders should take responsibility for behaviour Information to allow an informed decision on part of Victim RJ complements existing sanctions/interventions Used when appropriate for both parties Best delivered in partnership with other agencies and the community

Restorative Justice in Practice

https://youtu.be/SHm-T4bbFpM Case Enactment- Link https://youtu.be/SHm-T4bbFpM

Bespoke Models Our Solutions….Their Salvation? Democratic Professionalism Societal Awareness Shared Creativity

Two sides of the same coin…. Individualistic Lens Doing with…….Agent of Change Power of the Story Self Actualisation/Role Model/Carer Redemption