Restorative Justice

Friday 19 February 2010

If you're in the court system, you're in that system for life.
 
"But restorative justice breaks that," says Mike Hinton, South Auckland Facilitator for Restorative Justice.
 
"I became quite passionate about it because I could see what it was doing, both for the victims of crime and also offenders. "
 
Restorative Justice is an alternative response to the traumas of crime, and recognises the many needs of victims who are usually alienated by the mainstream criminal justice system.
 
While the justice system keeps victims and offenders apart, "restorative justice is actually about bringing them together."
 
The Restorative Justice Trust was established in 1999, based on a very Maori model, with the whole whanau working together to address the crime and come up with solutions.
 
"We work on a very cultural perspective, and not just Maori."
 
A regular work day includes arranging pre-conferences to meet with victims and offenders, then facilitating conferences which could take two to three months. Finally a report is written for the case's judge at the time of sentencing which will help decide the outcome of the offender.
 
Every Friday morning she's at the Manukau District Court as a Court Liaison, dealing with list cases which are usually referred to her by judges and lawyers.
 
Although Restorative Justice is about recognising the needs of the victim, Mr Hinton says it allows both parties to address the harm, and gives the offender a chance to take real responsibility.
 
During the conferences, victims are able to make recommendations on how they would like to see happen to offenders which are included in the final report for the judge.
 
"It gives the victim a voice. It gives them a say in the actual court process."
 
Mr Hinton says in the mainstream system victims don't usually get to talk when usually they just want to talk, ask questions and have their say.
 
He says when offenders take responsibility victims often "just walk away a lot lighter." Victims and their whanau don't feel so helpless and sometimes "people have come together in forgiveness."