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By Baroness Massey of Darwen - 26th October 2011
Baroness Massey of Darwen lends her support for the use of restorative justice against rioters.
Leading politicians of all parties have praised restorative justice. Theresa May has said: "Restorative justice has a record of dealing particularly well with those who are young and first offenders." In August, the deputy prime minister announced that there would be additional money provided "to ensure that victims, if they want, can face and confront their offenders."
There is public support for restorative justice. Polling published by the Prison Reform Trust showed that 88 per cent of people agree that victims of theft and vandalism should have the opportunity to make offenders aware of the harm caused by their actions. Pilots have been carried out in eight police forces in England: the 'Youth Restorative Disposal', which had a positive response. In Northern Ireland, the Youth Conference Service, established in 2003, places restorative justice at the heart of the youth justice system.
Doreen Massey is the former director of the FPA (1989-94). She was raised to the peerage in 1999 and sits on the Labour benches.
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