Community remedy and restorative justice
What is Community Remedy and Restorative Justice?
Community Remedy and Restorative Justice are collectively known as ‘restorative processes’.
Restorative processes bring those harmed by crime or ASB, and those responsible for the harm, into communication, enabling everyone affected to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way forward.
In criminal justice, restorative processes give victims the chance to tell offenders the real impact of their crime, to get answers to their questions, and an apology. Restorative processes hold offenders to account and helps them understand the real impact of what they’ve done, take responsibility and make amends.
Restorative processes are increasingly being used in schools, care homes and the wider community to address conflict, build understanding and strengthen relationships with young people. In these contexts it is also known by the names 'restorative approaches' and 'restorative practices'.
Community Remedy
Community Remedy can be used for low-level crime and anti-social behaviour when the victim does not want the case to go to court or another formal outcome.
Here is a list of 13 options, agreed between the Police and Crime Commissioner and the public of Derbyshire, which may be used to resolve a case using Community Remedy:
- Face-to-face apology
- Apology in writing
- Pay for damage/loss
- Repair damage/loss
- Written assignment
- Tenancy enforcement
- Acceptable Behaviour Contract
- Parenting Contract
- Structured activity
- Alcohol treatment etc.
- Mediation
- Shuttle-Conference
- Counselling
Restorative Justice
Restorative Justice is used for more serious crime or more complex situations.This is managed by the Restorative Justice provider for Derbyshire, which is called Remedi.
It can be used as an alternative to a case going to court or having a more formal outcome if this is in accordance with the victim’s wishes and taking all the circumstances into account, a senior police officer agrees it is the right thing to do.
Post-Court Restorative Justice
Restorative Justice can also be used following a court sentence where both the victim and offender agree to take part in the process. This is also managed by Remedi.
Who do I ask about Community Remedy and Restorative Justice, and how can I find out more?
All police officers and Police Community Support Officers in Derbyshire have been trained to resolve local crimes in this way.
For more information on Restorative Justice, visit www.remediuk.org.