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21/07/2023
DoJ Publishes New Protocol For Delivery Of Restorative Justice
A new Protocol for the delivery of restorative justice in Northern Ireland has been published by the Department of Justice (DoJ).
The new 2023 Protocol will govern the use of restorative interventions in the criminal justice system in NI and details how a new accreditation process will work for organisations and individuals.
In addition to meeting specific training standards, those seeking accreditation must work to fundamental standards of upholding the rule of law; adhering to human rights standards; and working with all criminal justice agencies, including the PSNI.
Alongside the Protocol, the DoJ has also published the Adult Restorative Justice Strategy Annual Report 2022/23.
The Annual Report sets out progress made against actions contained in the Department's Adult Restorative Justice Strategy over the first year of its implementation.
It has been developed in partnership with a range of statutory, voluntary and community sector organisations who make up the Restorative Justice Working Group (RJWG), who are responsible for taking the work forward.
Richard Pengelly CB, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Justice said: "Today we see the publication of two significant documents for the growth of Restorative Justice in Northern Ireland. One year on from the creation of a new Adult Restorative Justice Strategy and we are already seeing the progress that has been made.
"One of the key actions was to review and refresh the 2007 Protocol which governs the use of restorative approaches in the criminal justice system. The new 2023 Protocol delivers that and is key to enabling the increased use of restorative justice as an integral part of our justice system and in the delivery of other actions contained in the Strategy."
The Department has engaged extensively with RJWG partners to finalise and agree the new protocol document, following the report from the independent review panel that was published earlier this year.
The new 2023 Protocol will govern the use of restorative interventions in the criminal justice system in NI and details how a new accreditation process will work for organisations and individuals.
In addition to meeting specific training standards, those seeking accreditation must work to fundamental standards of upholding the rule of law; adhering to human rights standards; and working with all criminal justice agencies, including the PSNI.
Alongside the Protocol, the DoJ has also published the Adult Restorative Justice Strategy Annual Report 2022/23.
The Annual Report sets out progress made against actions contained in the Department's Adult Restorative Justice Strategy over the first year of its implementation.
It has been developed in partnership with a range of statutory, voluntary and community sector organisations who make up the Restorative Justice Working Group (RJWG), who are responsible for taking the work forward.
Richard Pengelly CB, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Justice said: "Today we see the publication of two significant documents for the growth of Restorative Justice in Northern Ireland. One year on from the creation of a new Adult Restorative Justice Strategy and we are already seeing the progress that has been made.
"One of the key actions was to review and refresh the 2007 Protocol which governs the use of restorative approaches in the criminal justice system. The new 2023 Protocol delivers that and is key to enabling the increased use of restorative justice as an integral part of our justice system and in the delivery of other actions contained in the Strategy."
The Department has engaged extensively with RJWG partners to finalise and agree the new protocol document, following the report from the independent review panel that was published earlier this year.
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