North West Glasgow Criminal Justice Team
Last year in the 2019-20 Annual Reporter we provided an article about work to establish a Restorative Justice service in Glasgow, you can read about that work in the article RESTORATIVE JUSTICE – ELEVATING VICTIMS’ VOICES IN GLASGOW.
We are pleased to report that we have continued to develop the Glasgow Restorative Justice Pilot. At present, eleven staff members, including nine Criminal Justice Social Workers and two Criminal Justice Team Leaders are undertaking restorative justice training. The training initially gives an overview of the theory and framework underpinning restorative justice. This includes consideration of the Balanced Model, which operates in Northern Ireland, the Edinburgh Model which initially led to a combined pilot of restorative justice and a focus on hate crime, and Glasgow’s current proposal.
CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE NORTHERN IRELAND & EDINBURGH MODELS:
Feedback from trainees has been positive and participants will now undertake practical skills work, including role play and communication skills. The training culminates with all participants practicing restorative justice conferencing. With a greater number of staff enthused and trained in restorative justice, we will have an enhanced resource to progress the pilot, offer staff led support and accountability, and create focus groups to reflect on practice.
This pilot has emerged from the criminal justice sector which predominantly works with those who are perpetrators of crime and harm. Whilst it is highly recognised that perpetrators of harm can also be victims of crime, it is acknowledged that our primary focus is holding those who have harmed to account and assisting in their rehabilitation. Yet, we are acutely aware that restorative justice has its roots and focus in elevating the victims voice. Therefore, hearing from agencies who support and have continual conversations with victims of crime is absolutely integral. In addition, our focus on Trauma Informed Practice will assist with working with victims of harm.
An information sheet has been developed for those who have been harmed and who wish to know more about restorative justice. This resource can be available to those who may be introducing the concept of restorative justice to an individual, an advocate or another professional.
Following an analysis of offending profile and risk assessment, a small number of individuals subject to a Community Payback Order were invited to discuss and ask questions about the concept of restorative justice. This provided us with rich insight and personalised perspectives. Some findings confirmed our considerations and others challenged our assumptions. The next stage of the pilot is to elicit understanding and insight from victims by proxy and latterly from victims themselves. I look forward to updating you on progress – WATCH THIS SPACE.
