Former Governor of Mountjoy Prison, John Lonergan has called for a restorative programme to help develop conflict resolution skills to be rolled out to all schools in Ireland to enable children to learn “how to live” as well as “how to make a living”:
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/call-for-more-restorative-justice-plans-1.1404788
In England and Wales, the Crime and Courts Bill achieved Royal Assent on 26th April 2013. RJC Director Lizzie Nelson described it as “the biggest development for restorative justice in England and Wales since legislation introducing referral order panels to the youth justice system in 1999.” See full report at http://rjc.org.uk/news/important_milestone_for_rj/?utm_source=RJC+Members&utm_campaign=c1afcef8ae-Legislation+Newsflash&utm_medium=email#.UXpv07WkrzA
Community-based response to crime can reduce re-offending by up to 40%, participants at the Restorative Practice Strategic Forum conference were told recently.
Importantly, “Restorative Practice is not just a response to crime, it is also an important measure for preventing crime and giving people a greater sense of safety and belonging in their communities,” CDI CEO Marian Quinn said.
see full report here: http://www.twcdi.ie/our-programmes/restorative-practice
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