Comments on: Where is Justice?

By: Sal Hampson

Sal Hampson — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 17:25:55 +0000

Thanks for this. This is a huge topic and a great start for debate, thinking and shaping. A few thoughts to add to the pot: Teresa Cullen’s post reminds us that much work needs to be undertaken with perpetrators to prepare for this picture. I am also interested in looking more closely at what the collective community processes of restorative justice can achieve. This is not to rule out direct victim/perpetrator mediation but to suggest the collective as a starting point for consideration. It is a tall order for facilitators (or community organisers) to take on this role and a heads up for us all about the complexities. Restorative justice is still about justice and, in that sense, punitive – the potential for growth in communities and progression for individuals is immense – not so incarceration. Another job is to shatter the illusion that restorative justice is a soft option – this jars with the realisation that there is work to be done with communities to temper the hang-em flog-em reaction and make the process meaningful for all which leads to lasting change, not merely a punctuation resulting from physical removal for one party and confirmation that life has nothing to offer for the others

By: Teresa Cullen

Teresa Cullen — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 10:16:48 +0000

A well reasoned post and thought provoking. Having been involved in much work around restorative justice I just want to add a cautionary note to the debate.
Some people have experienced such emotional deprivation in their lives that they are completely impervious to the needs and feelings of others. This allows them to take part in restorative justice initiatives without it having any impact on their future views or behaviour. The necessary work is to provide intensive emotional awareness training to the point where it is clear and evident that the offender has developed empathy and understanding of the needs and rights of others. Without this restorative justice can become just a sticking plaster that makes people in the wider community feel better and feel that something is being done, in a similar way to retribution.
The work of repairing damage always takes years longer than the work of causing damage. We should be ready for a long haul.

By: Montell Neufville

Montell Neufville — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 10:59:20 +0000

We said John its a pity others didn’t take on board your very sensible proposals

By: Cynthia Roomes

Cynthia Roomes — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 12:04:52 +0000

Expertly put Jonny, a well thought out post. The authorities could learn much from you/this, and I agree with others who say this could/should be taken further.

I have slightly differing opinions though – that restorative and punitive justice can and should walk hand in hand. There are offenders whose environment drives their offending behaviour, it is a danger to them and they become an increased danger to it, my opinion is that both should be separated. If the prison system was funded and resourced to work better, the rate of recidivism would not be what it is. I also think those convicted of violent crimes should be imprisoned, but that whilst there, a sense of humanity, personal development, respect for civil society and reparations should be integral to their rehabilitation.

Whichever side of the punitive/restorative track we walk, I am sure that we have a common purpose – to make justice better for good.

By: Lorna Prescott

Lorna Prescott — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 10:52:39 +0000

Great post Jonny, it is helpful to consider a realistic alternative to what to me feels like a barbaric reaction to the riots. Surely dialogue and the potential for new relationships to be built is the most helpful way forward, when those affected are ready. As others have commented, I hope this is the beginning of a wider discussion which might lead to some creative and alternative approaches.

By: Mark Parker

Mark Parker — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:58:58 +0000

I have never been a fan of retributive justice. It all seems so Old Testament! And it just does not seem to work. Restorative justice is a much better option and offers a way to integrate the criminal into their community rather than isolate them.

The big issue – as Noel notes above – is how organised the community really is. Clearly the riots have laid out a significant agenda for community organisers and I expect we will be listening to many citizens over the coming months about the causes of the riots and the fate of the looters. In Peckham, I’m proud to see the hope of the community taking post-it form! But an organised community is far better able to tackle both the riots themselves, dealing with the perpetrators and rebuilding community confidence and self-belief. A community that can determine its own agenda and shape its own response to these challenges will always be stronger and more robust.

If you think community organising might play a role in your proposal, I’d be happy to discuss how that might be best done.

By: Roxanne Persaud

Roxanne Persaud — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:04:54 +0000

Another vote for the wider debate. Wonder where there might be a space for collaborative policy making or responses, wiki-style.

Jonny, your post strikes me as a great starting framework for a policy response. It’s the kind of thing that could be polished in a weekend sprint if a sufficiently engaged network were mobilized. Wouldn’t it be fun to have a space for ‘pop-up’ social policy development? Is there one already?

In the meantime, will RT 😉

By: David Wilcox

David Wilcox — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 10:48:44 +0000

Jonny – this is a great basis for a sensible and creative approach. I hope we can get it into wider discussions

By: Julian Dobson

Julian Dobson — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:24:51 +0000

Excellent post. The thing is, of course, that this takes time and thought and the government is more concerned (nderstandably, if not justifiably) that the media and public perceive they’re taking swift action to stop the rot.

But you’re right – restorative justice is the way forward and it isn’t a soft option. Is it time for Britain to have its own Truth and Reconciliation Commission?

By: Liam Barrington-Bush

Liam Barrington-Bush — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 23:41:25 +0000

Excellent post Jonny! The most positive thing I’ve read in moving forward from all of this! I’m sure you’ve thought of this, but I wonder if, in light of all this, KZ should put a proposal together – to the Howard League, or possibly more directly to the Home Office – to see about the potential here, ‘while the iron’s hot’ so-to-speak?
I think you’ve already got a strong basis here… would be more than happy to talk about places it should be read… for now I’ll RT… thanks for writing this!
Liam