A satisfying and increasingly important alternative to the costly, time consuming, punitive legal processes within the criminal justice system, Restorative Justice is a highly effective method of resolving conflict, repairing harm and preventing reoffending.
Restorative justice, particularly victim-offender conferencing, has the potential to offer clear and measurable benefits to the criminal justice system and to wider society
What is Restorative Justice?
Restorative Justice enables victims and offenders to come together, usually meeting face-to-face in professionally facilitated meetings, to discuss the transgressions.
Exploring the impact on the victim, and the underlying reasons and motives for the transgression, is proven to help both victims and offenders move forward with their lives.
So why is Restorative Justice so popular?
It delivers higher victim satisfaction:
It provides victims with a voice by allowing them the opportunity to meet offenders and discuss the direct impact of offenders’ actions.
Where victims and offenders meet victim satisfaction rates are 90% – much higher than when restorative justice is not available
It reduces reoffending:
Enabling the offender to understand and discuss the effects of their actions with the victim.
Restorative Justice leads to a 27% to 33% reduction in reoffending
It saves both time and money:
Restorative Justice is far quicker in reaching a conclusion than the legal process and saves an estimated £9 of public money for every £1 invested.
Offering restorative justice to victims of serious crime would save £185 million over two years by reducing crime
It is highly recommended:
Restorative Justice is an effective process, recognised by the Ministry of Justice, the legal profession and highly recommended by victims.
Almost nine out of ten would recommend the process to other victims
Why choose Link Mediation Services?
Link Mediation Services has been supporting and facilitating individuals through the Restorative Justice process for many years.
During this time, we have facilitated in excess of 400 meetings between parties, that’s approximately 1600 hours of restorative practice.
- 25 years
- 250 meetings
- 2500 hours
Our team of experienced Accredited Restorative Justice Practitioners will help to create relaxed and safe environments ideal for positive, engaging conversations which each party. Each is encouraged to participate and contribute towards an agreed resolution and amiable outcome.
Often described as ‘catalysts’ or ‘enablers’, we recognise the importance of having the right individual with the required skills facilitating the meeting. Whichever of our talented team works with you, you can rest assured of professionalism, empathy and diplomacy at all times.
We aim to inspire confidence from each of the parties from the outset, with clear, timely communication throughout the process – a proven approach which embraces the established principles of the Restorative Justice Council (www.restorativejustice.org.uk), namely that it the meetings should be:
- Restorative - Addressing and repairing harm
- Voluntary -
- Neutral
- Safe
- Accessible
- Respectful
Our process ensures the environment is conducive to, and the facilitation directed towards, achieving the desired outcome with the victim’s needs and requirements at its heart.
Our success rates speak for themselves. In the past 4 years 95% of our Restorative Justice facilitations have been deemed by the participants to have been a ‘success’.
- 95% success
We love making a difference to people’s lives! Restorative justice is just one of the many ways we make this difference and its humbling when we receive such positive comments about our involvement and role in creating resolutions.
Thank you for your help in organising and running the meeting. I was very nervous but you talked me through the process, putting me at ease beforehand. It was reassuring for me that you were there throughout the meeting. I felt safe. Talking and listening to the other party has helped me come to terms with what happened. After months of sleepless nights and feeling anxious I now feel that I can move forward with my life once again. You were brilliant from start to finish. Thank you.
What should I do next?
For more information, and an informal discussion, about how we can use our combined 100 years of experience and successful proven track record to assist you with your Restorative Justice needs please contact us today.
Contact Jan
Whatever issue or dispute you are facing, mediation can help you find the answer.
For an initial, confidential and no obligation, conversation with one of our team of skilled mediators, please contact Jan today
Or call the Liverpool office on:
0151 706 8154 or 07534 058777 (out of hours)