{"id":7735,"date":"2021-10-07T14:40:11","date_gmt":"2021-10-07T14:40:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/2021.cjg-annualreport.co.uk\/?p=7735"},"modified":"2021-10-25T14:01:29","modified_gmt":"2021-10-25T14:01:29","slug":"testing-times-a-restorative-approach-to-diversion-from-prosecution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/2021.cjg-annualreport.co.uk\/?p=7735","title":{"rendered":"TESTING TIMES \u2013 A RESTORATIVE APPROACH TO DIVERSION FROM PROSECUTION"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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BY HEATHER EDGAR<\/b>

Intervention Worker, Community Justice Service in Glasgow City Council<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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In November 2020, Neighbourhoods, Regeneration and Sustainability Community Justice Section<\/b> agreed with partners through the Glasgow Health & Social Care Partnership\u2019s<\/span><\/a> (GHSCP) Section 27 Funding (funding ringfenced by Scottish Government to Local Authorities to provide Criminal Justice Services<\/i>) Steering Group to deliver a Diversion from Prosecution Restorative Justice Test of Change Programme \u2013 available across Youth and Adult Diversion.<\/p>\n

Underpinned by evidence, Glasgow Justice Services have had a renewed focus on Restorative Justice<\/b> in recent years, see for example an article in the Community Justice Glasgow 2019-20 Annual Report \u2013 Restorative Justice \u2013 elevating Victims\u2019 Voices in Glasgow<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n

For almost 10 years now<\/b>, I have been working with people who are involved in the criminal justice system, encouraging individuals involved in offending to make more positive life choices and move away from offending behaviour.  I like the challenge and diversity of this type of work and have enjoyed being part of a Diversion from Prosecution<\/span><\/a> Restorative Justice test of change programme.<\/p>\n

One of the greatest strengths of the Diversion programmes<\/b> are that they are a relatively cheap and well performing way of dealing with low-level offenders, which in turn frees up capacity to deal with more serious, persistent offenders. Head of Community Justice in Glasgow, Tom Jackson, gives an overview and explains this in his article (2019-20) Respond or React? \u2013 A Question of Taking Responsibility for Public Resources <\/span><\/a>.  <\/span>Diversion from Prosecution provides an opportunity for people who have made a mistake, had an error in judgement, or are going through a chaotic period, an opportunity to make more positive life choices and move away from offending behaviour.<\/p>\n

CLICK BELOW TO ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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In my personal experience of being involved in diversion<\/b>, I am able to build good relationships with clients referred in order to encourage them to complete the programme. I challenge their antisocial attitudes, highlight consequences of their behaviour an encourage skill development that will enable them to pursue a crime free life.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

The test of change is a restorative based programme which is tailored to each client that is referred<\/b>, to encourage them to take responsibility for their actions, and if appropriate further restorative activities\/conferences can be facilitated.\u00a0 Although there are core sessions, they are able to be adapted to have maximum impact on the particular referral offence.\u00a0 In addition, should any other issues arise, e.g. alcohol misuse, I am able to add in additional sessions or refer onwards to an appropriate service for longer term support.<\/p>

Since my involvement with the Diversion from Prosecution Restorative Justice test of change<\/b>, there has only been one individual who I have been unable to positively engage in the process. All other referrals have actively engaged and there has been a clear impact on their attitude.\u00a0 Although, only measured over a short period \u2013\u00a013\/11\/20 \u2013 31\/03\/21 \u2013 early evidence from the test of change showed that:\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/p>