The event will feature a series of interactive workshops and keynote speakers, with the aims of:

■introducing and promoting restorative practices with key decision makers across Ireland;
■providing space for discussing, analysing and exploring restorative thinking, practice and developments;
■building long lasting relationships across Ireland to further develop restorative practices across all levels of society.
To get further details and register your interest, please contact Margaret Hastings at Quaker Service:

Email info@quakerservice.comThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tel 0044 (0)2890201444

http://mediationdigest.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=303:rj-conf&catid=10:events&Itemid=101

Lynne Massey, mother of Callum shares her story of RP in action:

http://www.restorativejustice.org.uk/rj-in-action/

Deborah Barton-Moran, Police Officer and RJ Facilitator says:

“I believe that schools should embed RA as a philosophy, not just a tool for tackling behavioural issues, because it is in this way that the best results are achieved. Most schools will have aspects of their working environment and processes that are restorative. However, to really embrace RA, schools need to have the courage to really look at what they do day to day and adapt and develop existing practices and try new ones. Restorative practices, properly embedded, will meet people’s needs, address behaviour, help them learn about each other and build a cohesive, supportive, environment.”

“How to stop the school-to-prison pipeline? The answer is simple, because it works:
restorative practices. Spreading from schools to the streets, the practices can help build a safer, saner
world.” so says John Bailie, International Institute of Restorative Practices.

In an article titled “The Use of Restorative Practices as a Strategy for Closing the School-to-Prison Pipeline” by IIRP Assistant Professor and Director of Continuing Education Dr. John Bailie has just been published in Race, Law, and Justice: Strategies for Closing the School-to-Prison Pipeline, a series of articles as a follow-up to a symposium held in February 2013 by the District Attorney’s office of Kings County, New York, and Medgar Evers College, City University of New York. Bailie’s piece is printed below. The entire journal, which includes an array of articles looking at many relevant issues and perspectives on race, zero tolerance and alternatives like restorative justice, may be downloaded for free.

See: http://restorativeworks.net/2013/09/restorative-practices-school-prison-pipeline/

“Mediation and Mindfully Getting in the Middle” – Brad Heckman is the founder and CEO of the New York Peace Institute and is committed to helping people resolve conflicts by finding creative, durable, and peaceful solutions.

Colorado has recently put restorative justice on a legal footing with the signing into law of the Colorado House Bill 1254. The restorative justice bill is focused on juvenile cases and aims to expand on state programmes adopted over the past six years, including establishing pilot programs and creating a database of information. The huge potential of restorative justice in the community and schools was highlighted by partnerships such as the Longmont Community Restorative Justice Project in Colorado which has two programmes that address conflict resolution and criminal matters both in the community and in schools.

The full report on this project can be found at:

http://www.timescall.com/news/longmont-local-news/ci_23656592/longmont-program-highlights-restorative-justice-potential?utm_source=RJC+Members&utm_campaign=75280232ef-RJC_April_Members_Bulletin&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_32f393e397-75280232ef-67145209

After teaching students to understand and talk through their conflicts, schools in Denver and Los Angeles have seen major reductions in disciplinary action. This recent report in Yes! Magazine highlights the power of restorative approaches in even the most challenging of schools.

http://www.yesmagazine.org/peace-justice/keep-kids-out-of-trouble-and-prison-teach-them-about-their-emotions

Presentations and Photos from the IIRP UK conference held on 20th June 2013 in Salford

http://uk.iirp.edu/2013/06/24/presentations-and-photoss-from-the-iirp-uk-summer-2013-conference-restorative-practice-the-way-forward-in-salford/

On 26th June Minister Shatter and Minister Lynch announced a scheme of payments for women who were admitted to and worked in the Magdalen Laundries. This follows the publication of the report by Justice Quirke, President of the Law Reform Commission, on the establishment of an ex-gratia scheme and supports for the women affected. The payments and other recommendations being implemented are also intended by way of restorative justice to address the women’s “needs and interests”.

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/PR13000256

Northside Community Law Centre have recently issued a report which includes a great update on restorative justice in Ireland

Click to access NCLMC-E-Journal-Issue-1-Volume-2.pdf