A summit next Tuesday, 8 September, will examine the barriers that mean only an estimated four in every 1,000 crimes in Devon and Cornwall reach the Restorative Justice system.
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez has welcomed the summit, hosted by Devon’s High Sheriff Mark Ansell. Ansell has made Restorative Justice the focus of his year in office and is bringing together key stakeholders from across the criminal justice system to look at how to increase the numbers of victims and offenders accessing it.
Restorative Justice gives people harmed by crime the opportunity, where appropriate and facilitated by trained practitioners under carefully controlled conditions, to engage in a dialogue with the person responsible after sentencing. Victims can ask questions, explain the impact of the crime and seek answers. Offenders get the chance to understand the consequences of their actions and take responsibility. The process can be transformational for both parties.
Mark Ansell, a former business leader and entrepreneur, wants the summit to end with a practical plan for increasing access to Restorative Justice across Devon and Cornwall.
The High Sheriff, Devon and Cornwall Police’s Chief Constable James Vaughan, Commissioner Hernandez, and the charity Make Amends, which administers Restorative Justice in the region, will lead the day. Representatives from the police, courts, prisons, support services, youth justice services and councils will join them, along with people who have experienced the process following crime.
Mark Ansell, High Sheriff of Devon, said: “There is no doubt in my mind that Devon and Cornwall are already at the national forefront of demonstrating how to implement an effective structure for Restorative Justice.
“Yet despite all the research and data showing that RJ is good for victims and offenders and can be transformational for both, and is great value for taxpayers, despite RJ being a clearly articulated right in the Victim Code for all victims of crime, despite excellent RJ practitioners Make Amends being in place in Devon and Cornwall funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, despite Devon and Cornwall Police having a nationally-respected dedicated RJ Coordinator in place and a good referral process…..right now an RJ process is activated in Devon and Cornwall in an estimated less than 4 in 1,000 cases.
“After seeing the brilliant play PUNCH at Theatre Royal Plymouth together in April, the Chief Constable, the Police and Crime Commissioner and I agreed that less than the estimated 4 in 1000 in Devon and Cornwall should and could be changed to more than 4 in 100. Crucially, this is about empowering victims of crime. While we understand in some instances there’s no suspect, or the victim doesn’t want to go ahead, or other reasons why it doesn’t happen, we all think RJ can and should happen more. It will be exciting and, I hope, significant, to bring most of the key players in RJ in Devon and Cornwall together in one room with the aim of coming up with an action plan to move things forward. There is no reason why Devon and Cornwall can’t be the national template for best practice. We appreciate it will take time, but this is an important start and we owe it to victims of crime to genuinely give them the opportunity of Restorative Justice.”
Lucy Evans, Service Manager with Make Amends said: “My ambition is that this summit marks a genuine turning point for Restorative Justice in Devon and Cornwall. I want us to look honestly at the whole journey, from the point a crime happens, through the criminal justice system, to where RJ can be offered, and identify where opportunities are being missed and why. That means asking some difficult but important questions. Are people being told about RJ? Are professionals confident enough to raise it? Are there groups who are less likely to access it? Are we making it clear what good RJ looks like, as well as simply trying to increase the numbers?
“Our ambition is to move referral numbers up, but the target is not just about numbers. It is about making RJ a more accessible, consistent and effective part of our justice system, so that far more victims have the opportunity to be heard, get answers and, where appropriate, take part in a process that can help them move forward.”
Mark Myer, Restorative Justice Coordination Manager with Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “In Devon and Cornwall, we recognise the positive difference that Restorative Justice can make. It gives victims a voice and enables offenders to take accountability for their actions, providing understanding and resolution. We are fortunate to have the backing of both the Chief Constable and PCC in this endeavour, as well as a highly professional and dedicated RJ service in Make Amends.
“Given the significant difference to victims, offenders, and local communities that Restorative Justice can make, we are dedicated to increasing awareness and access to this invaluable service so that more people can benefit from the rights available to them in the Code of Practice for Victims of Crime.”
Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez said: “Restorative Justice (RJ) has proven time and time again to give victims closure and stop criminals offending again which is why my office funds Make Amends, the only RJ service for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
“I look forward to working with the High Sheriff to promote RJ and hearing about more people it has helped. Like the High Sheriff I am hoping those numbers will continue to increase. It is crucial that all victims of crime know that they have a right to access RJ, but are also made aware it is a voluntary rather than compulsory process.”
Each High Sheriff chooses a theme for their year in office. Mark Ansell was inspired to choose Restorative Justice after listening to Amol Rajan’s interview with Jacob Dunne on a BBC podcast. Jacob’s story inspired the play PUNCH. Jacob and the parents of James Hodgkinson, who he killed with a single punch on a night out, are now key campaigners in the field of Restorative Justice. Jacob and James’s father David will be keynote speakers at the summit.
Other lived experience speakers at the summit will include Seth Marks and his mother Julie who live near Tavistock. Seth was left quadriplegic after a car crash. The vehicle was being driven by his friend who’d been drinking and smoking cannabis. After experiencing the impact of Restorative Justice, Seth and Julie now campaign to increase awareness of the process.
Julie said: “Restorative Justice gave me my life back by empowering me to have a voice to be heard and listened to in a very compassionate safe and professional manner. I was able to move on with my life enabling me to say ‘I forgive you’ to the harmer. I needed him to take accountability and responsibility not to say sorry, which he did.
“My desire is that more people have the opportunity I had to recover from such a devastating situation. It offers the chance for people to move on with their lives with some peace, having had their voices heard and questions answered. The outcome from a person having Restorative Justice is far reaching. It has the potential to prevent further impacts from the trauma they have suffered.”
The day will feature workshops focusing on Restorative Justice being applied in specific types of crimes, ranging from domestic abuse and road traffic incidents to serious violence and youth crime.
Devon and Cornwall Justice Leaders Meet to Discuss Restorative Justice