Expanded Role For Restorative Justice Envisaged

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 17th Jun 2003

The Government is looking at ways of expanding the use of restorative justice in the adult criminal justice system.

The news emerged in answer to a Parliamentary Question from David Rendel MP. It follows pioneering efforts in the Thames Valley area to reduce re-offending through mediation between offenders and victims, and reparation to the community.

Mr Rendel said:

"It is good news that the Government is taking on board the experience of Thames Valley police and is planning to expand the use of restorative justice.

"Mediation and reparation programmes have been seen to reduce crime, whereas prison all too often leads to re-offending."