Easton & Piper: Sentencing and Punishment 2e 
DevelopmentsEaston & Piper: Sentencing and Punishment 2e
Chapter 06
6.1 Restorative Justice policy pp 173-181 (also pp 194-200)
A Working Paper on the use of Restorative Justice (RJ) has been published by the Commission on English Prisons Today. This discussion paper is accessible via www.prisoncommission.org.uk and provides the background to the issues considered at the first meeting of the Restorative Justice Working Group and a précis of the focus of current discussion. One of the side headings in the report gives a flavour of their emerging conclusions: 'The Current State of Play: all talk and no action'. The paper is particularly critical of the way that the use of RJ in reprimands and warnings appears to have decreased rather than increased (see also Chapter 8).
6.3.2 Restorative justice for young offenders pp 194-198
Restorative Justice Disposals (YRDs: Pilot Scheme)
The pilot taking place 2008-9 operates as below (information taken from YJB web-site accessed 20.5.09):
How the YRD works
• Only young people between the ages of 10-17 who have not previously received a Reprimand, Final Warning, Caution or other disposal are eligible.
• A young person may receive only one YRD.
• Serious crimes, such as weapons, sexual and drug offences, are not eligible for a YRD.
• The victim and offender both need to agree to participate in the YRD, which will be facilitated by an authorised officer trained in restorative justice techniques.
• The process must be resolved within a reasonable time – on the street or shortly after.
• The process involves a meeting between the victim and offender, an apology and may include additional action to right the wrong caused.
• The YOT is informed after the YRD is issued providing an opportunity to identify early risk factors and get the right agencies to step in with appropriate support to a young person.
The YRD is recorded locally and not on the Police Nation Computer. The pilot will end in 2009 with a subsequent evaluation to consider the potential of introducing it nationally. See: www.yjb.gov.uk/en-gb/practitioners/CourtsAndOrders/Disposals/YouthRestorativeDisposal
6.4.1. What role for victims? pp 200-201
A review of the treatment of victims and witnesses was published by the Ministry of Justice in November 2009: S. Payne, Redefining Justice: Addressing the individual needs of victims and witnesses available at:
www.justice.gov.uk/publications/redefining-justice
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