Restorative Justice in Scotland Restorative Justice in Scotland The potential for social change Richard Hendry National Coordinator: Work with Schools

About Sacro Scotland’s leading community justice organisation. Mission: To reduce conflict and offending and make communities safer. 9 distinct services across 28 Councils, including: Youth and Adult Restorative Justice Offender support services Community Mediation Intergenerational Projects Restorative Practice in schools

What is Restorative Justice? �� A holistic approach to explain and address the multiple causes of offending behaviour. A focus on establishing the facts of the incident, acknowledging the harm done and holding individuals ‘accountable’ for their behaviour. The intended outcome is: –to repair harm –To reintegrate those responsible –healing for those harmed.

How do we think and respond? Retributive DO TO Punish / Deter Restorative DO WITH Repair / Rebuild Permissive DO FOR Act on behalf of Neglectful NOT DO Inaction / Ignore CONTROLCONTROL SUPPORT McCold, P. and T. Watchel 2003

Two views of justice Retributive JusticeRestorative Justice Crime is a violation of the law and the state Crime is a violation of people and relationships Violations create guiltViolations create obligations Justice requires the state to determine blame (guilt) and impose pain Justice involves victims, offenders, and community members in an effort to put things right Central focus: offenders ‘getting what they deserve’ Central focus: Victim needs and offender responsibility for repairing harm

Retributive consequences to wrong-doing Where ‘wrong-doing’ is defined as rule-breaking: The consequences are the things that are done to me because I broke the rule, to punish or deter me… if I’m caught! Effect: If I’m caught I feel resentful. If I’m not caught, I feel relieved.

Restorative consequences of wrong-doing Where ‘wrong-doing’ is defined as harm done to an individual: The consequence of my harmful behaviour is the impact it has on others and on myself. Effect: If I understand the consequence for others I am more likely to change my harmful behaviour. I’m more likely to understand the consequence if I hear from those affected by my harmful behaviour.

Different culture - different outcomes Adults and children can learn to: Understand the impact of their behaviours on others Explain how they have been effected Resolve conflicts constructively Make amends for harm done Self-regulate.