1 Issue 64: Summer 2019 Issue 64: Summer 2019 Resolution
Restorative policing – a snapshot
Paul’s story
Carol’s story
Arts and restorative practice
Restorative justice in Lincolnshire schools
Patron: HRH the Princess Royal Company no 4199237 Charity no 1097969
Resolution 2
Contents News if brief
3. Introduction from the chief executive Save the date – the RJC’s AGM and conference! The RJC’s 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and first 4. Letter from our patron HRH The Princess annual conference will be held in Nottingham over Sunday Royal 17 November and Monday 18 November to celebrate the start of International Restorative Justice Week. Join us for a 5. Restorative policing in England and Wales – a day of fantastic speakers, engaging workshop sessions and snapshot an opportunity to network with others in the restorative 7. Paul’s story practice/justice field. There will be a discounted conference rate for all RJC members. 10. What’s new in restorative Further information and booking available here research?
11. Help! A problem page for practitioners Dame Vera Baird announced as new 12. Empowering individuals through merging Victims’ Commissioner the arts with restorative approaches Dame Vera Baird has been appointed the 14. Reducing conflict and improving new Victims’ Commissioner and will take relationships in Lincolnshire schools over the role from Baroness Newlove in mid-June 2019. As Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria, Dame 16. Carol’s story Vera was a champion for restorative justice, hosting an RJC event in Newcastle last year where she shared the challenges, successes and learning from delivering a victim-focused restorative justice service across the region. We look forward to working with Dame Vera to progress access to high-quality restorative justice for all affected by crime. About the RJC RJC hosts London restorative justice network meetings The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) is the independent third sector membership body The RJC hosted its first London restorative justice networking for the field of restorative practice. It provides meeting in May. These meetings are run as part of the quality assurance and a national voice advocating new Mayor-funded pan-London victim service contract, the widespread use of all forms of restorative led by Victim Support. The meetings will be held quarterly practice, including restorative justice. The RJC’s and are free to attend for anyone involved in restorative vision is of a restorative society where everyone justice in London or the surrounding area. They are an has access to safe, high quality restorative excellent opportunity to share best practice and network practice wherever and whenever it is needed. with organisations working in the field of restorative justice. Resolution is the RJC newsletter. Please get in The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 10 September at touch if you have any feedback or you would like Broadmoor Hospital in Beckenham and will include a tour and to submit an article. networking lunch. Register via the events page on the RJC The articles in this newsletter express the website. personal views of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the RJC.
© 2019 RJC. Not to be reproduced without RJC change of address and telephone number permission. Editor: Fionnuala Ratcliffe Staff can be contacted by email directly or atenquiries@ Graphic designer: Daniel Wood restorativejustice.org.uk, or you can call us on 0203 5815717.
Restorative Justice Council Please direct post to the Restorative Justice Council, KLIC, KLIC Innovation Drive, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 5BY. Innovation Drive King’s Lynn Norfolk, PE30 5BY
E: [email protected] www.restorativejustice.org.uk 3 Issue 64: Summer 2019
Introduction
there are some exciting articles in this more pupils remaining in lessons and issue that highlight that very point. a significant reduction in detentions. These include an article submitted There were also many unquantifiable by Lincolnshire Behaviour Outreach benefits. Interactions between staff Support Service (BOSS), which outlines and pupils improved. Pupils began to how they are using restorative recognise the impact their behaviour processes to reduce conflict and was having on others around them, improve relationships in Lincolnshire and they started to take responsibility schools. Another article written by for their actions. It was a long journey Space2face explores how individuals are with many hurdles to overcome, but being empowered by combining arts the outcomes made it worthwhile and with restorative approaches. increased my belief that, when carefully planned and executed, restorative For the past five years, I have had processes can make a significant the privilege of working for the RJC difference. as an RSQM assessor. However, my involvement in restorative practice dates Whilst I will not forget the RJC’s roots, back to early 2003, shortly after taking it is time for us to ensure that we Welcome to the Summer 2019 up my first headship within a secondary expand our focus from restorative edition of Resolution. Within this issue I special school. It was during my first day practice within criminal justice settings, am delighted to share with you a letter in post that I saw how negative many promoting the benefits of implementing from our Patron, HRH The Princess of the relationships between pupils restorative practice within our schools, Royal, which celebrates the progress and staff were. It was an environment public services and workplaces. By made in restorative practice in recent in which confrontation and aggression, entrenching restorative skills within years and reflects on visits our patron both verbal and physical, had become the daily workings of our institutions, has made to RJC members over the the norm. Previous school leaders we will arm individuals with the past year. You will also find articles, case had adopted a robust, albeit punitive, necessary tools to resolve conflict in studies and examples of good practice, approach to managing behaviour that peaceful ways. Furthermore, we will which I hope you will find useful and clearly was not having an impact and create environments that allow deeper informative ution. This issue is packed most certainly did not empower staff or and more meaningful relationships to with articles, case studies and examples pupils to repair the harm caused. emerge. Crime represents a failure in of good practice, which I hope you will each of these areas, so it is imperative find useful and informative. It was during an event run by the that we place much more emphasis on local constabulary that I met with restorative practice going forward. The RJC is currently going through a restorative practice trainer who a period of change and I am proud introduced me to restorative concepts. As such, I will be working closely with to have been appointed as the new This chance meeting sparked my the board of trustees, our members Chief Executive Officer to lead the interest in restorative practice, which and other key stakeholders to ensure transformation of the organisation. in turn led to radical changes in the that we actively engage with a far wider Our central aims remain unchanged: way behaviour and relationships were range of organisations and practitioners. we will continue to set and champion managed within my school. clear standards for restorative practice, Staff, pupils, parents and the local Over the coming months, I hope to raise public awareness and confidence authority were all sceptical when have the opportunity to meet with our in restorative processes and stimulate restorative practice was first introduced. members. An ideal opportunity will be growth in restorative practice. To I seemed to spend hours explaining at our AGM and restorative practice achieve this, it is important that our that restorative interventions were conference scheduled for 17 and 18 standards, guidance and services not an easy option, that they entailed November: I hope to see you there. are fit-for-purpose and accessible more than simply saying sorry and that to practitioners not only within the individuals with behavioural, emotional Jim Simon criminal justice sector, but also from and social difficulties could access CEO across education, health, social care and restorative interventions successfully industry. with appropriate support.
The potential impact that restorative Over time, there were noticeable practice can have in these settings is an differences, the most obvious being area of great interest to me – indeed, reductions in external exclusions, Resolution 4
Letter from our patron, HRH The Princess Royal
There is much to celebrate about the progress made in restorative practice in recent years. The evidence that restorative justice leads to high victim satisfaction and reduced reoffending has propelled its availability across England and Wales. In many areas, victims of crime, from low-level offences to the most complex cases, can contact their local service and experience a high quality restorative justice service. I visited two such services in 2018 (in Torquay, Devon and Wallsend, Northumbria) where I met passionate staff and volunteers, committed commissioners and heard a shared language of restoration.
How we relate to each other is more important than ever. In schools, restorative practice provides a key opportunity to embed the importance of relationships with others at an early age. At a celebration with restorative schools in Cornwall last year, I spoke with school pupils and university students about how restorative approaches help them to articulate their feelings, feel empathy and resolve conflict. We are holding our children back if we do not equip them with these skills that are so essential for them later in life.
At a visit to Enfield Youth Offending Unit in north London last summer, a young girl described to me how participating in a restorative community panel helped her take responsibility for the harm she had caused and take action to set things right. The panel was made up of volunteers from the local area, who give their time to help young people avoid being drawn into a current of crime. Only with community support and compassion can our children and young people steer a safe course into adulthood and achieve their full potential. More progress can be made, of course. In the absence of a national government restorative justice action plan, the onus is on police and crime commissioners to advance the quality and availability of restorative justice services in their area. I hope the RJC and its members can support Commissioners to continue to build and strengthen their services for victims and offenders across the country.
Restorative practice in schools exists in pockets across the country and I know the RJC and its members are striving for greater recognition and understanding of its benefits within these settings. Restorative approaches in prisons and forensic mental health settings are showing that a new way of organisational working is possible. These approaches have the potential to transform working environments. The benefits of these approaches need to be understood and communicated if restorative practice is to achieve its transformative potential.
The strength of the RJC is its members, and my visits have shown me how diverse that membership is. The breadth of work taking place across the sector, from schools to prisons to children’s homes, shows how cross-cutting the principles of restorative practice can be. I have had the pleasure of meeting staff, volunteers and participants from a range of sectors and backgrounds, but what unites us?
In my view it is our emphasis on the importance of our relationships. Our relationships define us. They are the glue that hold our families, communities and country together. These relationships are damaged when we cause harm to one another. Restorative justice enables us to build the empathy, trust and understanding needed to repair them. I have been heartened to see this focus on the fundamental importance of relationships played out and reinforced again and again by restorative organisations across the country. This would not be possible without the hard work and commitment of all of those involved in the RJC and those organisations and individuals affiliated with the charity. 5 Issue 64: Summer 2019
What’s new in restorative justice research?
Researchers have published thousands of articles and reports on theory and practice in restorative justice. However, much of this information remains behind the paywalls of academic journals or is too lengthy to be of practical use to those in the field. Here, Molly Spicer-Jones, a criminology student on placement from the University of Nottingham, outlines the findings of some recent research.
I n December 2018, researchers from deemed ineffective, and restorative in this issue (page 6). The book can be the RAND Corporation published the justice may be a useful alternative, as purchased here. research report, “Can Restorative shown by a case study at a Coventry Practices Improve School Climate and comprehensive school that uses a If you’re interested in restorative Curb Suspensions? An Evaluation of the conferencing method supported by staff research, the Community of Impact of Restorative Practices in a Mid- and students to tackle bullying. The Restorative Researchers tries to Sized Urban School District”. This report report can be found in full here. increase the accessibility of research evaluates the outcomes evidence by releasing podcasts, of two-year restorative justice Getting More out of Restorative publishing research summaries and programmes in 22 schools in Pittsburgh, Practice in Schools, by Nancy hosting online groups. For more Pennsylvania. Researchers found the Riestenberg and Gillean McCluskey, was information, see here. programmes successful in reducing published on 21 December 2018. It suspension rates in elementary and examines the importance of restorative middle schools as well as reducing practices in modern education and the disparities between students of different implementation of restorative justice in ethnicities and socioeconomic statuses. schools before going on to explore how However, researchers noted no restorative practices can be applied to academic improvement within the other schooling-related issues including schools implementing the programme, trauma and poverty. Chris Marshall, the particularly among children aged 11-14. Diana Unwin Chair in Restorative They argue that more research is Justice, Victoria University of necessary to identify the reasons for this Wellington, New Zealand, states that and identify the long-term implications this book is “a superb resource for of the programmes. The report can anyone wanting to deepen their be found in full here. knowledge of how restorative practices can contribute to personal, institutional In January 2019, researchers from and societal transformation”. This book Coventry University and Roehampton can be purchased here. University published the results of their project, “Prosecuting parents for Restorative Policing, by Kerry Clamp truancy: who pays the price?”. In their and Craig Paterson, surveys the history report, the authors argue that the of restorative policing practice. Clamp current system of prosecuting parents in and Paterson debate how the concepts cases of prolonged unauthorised of ‘restorative justice’ and ‘policing’ sit absences is ineffective. They revealed alongside each other and how they may that many children classified as truants be connected. They make a case for a have special educational needs as well vision of restorative policing and outline as mental health issues, particularly a framework for the implementation of anxiety resulting from bullying. Many such a strategy. Kerry Clamp provides a schools’ responses to bullying were summary of some of her research Resolution 6
Restorative policing in England and Wales: a snapshot
providers and/or civilian staff were Having returned to the UK after most often involved in the facilitation five-years in Australia, I wanted to of restorative justice processes (i.e. understand what had been happening those involving direct communication in the restorative practice field since I between the victim and offender from moved in 2012. So last year, I completed the same incident, or Levels 2 and 3 research with Professor David processes). O’Mahony exploring restorative justice provision within police forces across the Dedicated restorative justice country. 34 forces (79%) participated in coordinators and/or leads in each police the survey, which was supplemented force manage policy guiding practice with in-depth interviews with 15 (44%) and suitable cases. Victims are made of those participating forces. This aware of restorative justice provision involved not only uniformed staff, but either verbally by police officers (91%) also civilian police staff and service or through the distribution of leaflets providers who help deliver restorative (73%) at the first point of contact. justice. This is what I learned: Much of the public Benefits of the current approach A diversified landscape There are a number of strengths related discussion about The devolved budget from the Ministry to using officers in the delivery of restorative justice, of Justice has meant that police and restorative justice for minor offences particularly in adult crime commissioners (PCCs) are now and more specialist teams dealing responsible for ensuring that victims with serious offences. These include criminal justice settings, receive information about restorative reducing pressure on police officers who is about victim-offender justice under the Victims Code of can move to other jobs more quickly, Practice, and that providers deliver a and drawing on external practitioners’ dialogues led by good quality service. This has resulted time and experience dealing with commissioned service in a diversified landscape of restorative the typically complex causes and providers. But what about justice experimentation and practice consequences of offending. For across the country. Whilst practice in minor offences, front-line officers saw the role of the police-led this area used to be solely the domain restorative justice as an effective way to restorative interventions? of the police and a few partners (such improve services to victims, offenders as probation and youth justice), this and communities, as well as a way to Here, Dr Kerry Clamp, has now expanded to include for-profit improve police-community relations and Assistant Professor at the service providers and civilian police staff morale, as the following quotes staff. The latter are often commissioned illustrate: University of Nottingham by PCCs to deliver restorative services and Chair of the RJC, across their respective police force “…it offers them the scope to work with summarises her new areas. victims and offenders in a way that meets their needs more effectively than research into restorative Most types of offences and offenders traditional front-line policing…gives policing. are considered eligible for restorative them the capacity to be more creative. practices in our criminal justice It also encourages them to see that the system, and this was confirmed in victim and offender journey is not just our research. Research participants necessarily about catch and convict. tended to speak of restorative justice That particularly for victims it doesn’t at varying levels, depending on the stop there and it certainly doesn’t stop seriousness of the offence and the at the court process.” [Force RJ lead, type of restorative practices involved civilian police staff] (see Figure 1). Our findings revealed that a majority of police officers (87%) “Interestingly, most of the really good RJ facilitated restorative interventions examples are ones whereby facilitators (i.e. restorative outcomes involving no took on broader community issues i.e. direct communication between a victim street drinking, ASB in an area etc…. and offender from the same incident, bringing communities together to get or Level 1 processes), whereas service them to take some responsibility by 7 Issue 64: Summer 2019
others expect from them. It is therefore essential to integrate restorative justice Figure 1: Levels of into the working environment. Often, restorative justice due to a lack of time and resources, provision within forces (adapted from Shewan people package restorative justice as 2010: 4) a ‘tool for the toolkit’ rather than a framework through which to effect institutional reform. There is no doubt that the type of modelling the above quotations describe would have far supporting each other in tackling local our research found that officers receive greater impact than the ‘awareness’ issues. We had one case, which saw a briefings about restorative justice rather training forces presently offer, without group of homeless street drinkers sitting than any formal training, which limits abstracting staff from the front-line. down with local residents producing an their understanding of what it is and outcome which everybody was happy what it can achieve. If police officers fail Some participants reflected on their with!” [Police officer] to grasp why we are doing what we are creative attempts to use restorative doing, the full benefits of restorative justice internally to expose individuals to Forces reported savings when justice will not be realised. a restorative justice experience, which is police officers facilitated restorative often the only way to convert sceptics. interventions, mostly due to reductions The need for cultural change within These have varied from integrating in the associated costs of processing policing? restorative practice to settle disputes, or cases through the courts. This was The vast majority (91%) of participants modelling it as a management style: especially true when victims and other and respondents expected restorative parties believed they could resolve justice provision to increase. However, “When we first trained officers and their situations through restorative many identified obstacles that may it was just seen as an intervention. interventions. inhibit this, including a lack of police and They now do more creative things, for public understanding about restorative example, circles within teams. So if Limitations of the current approach justice and a lack of time and resources there is conflict within teams within the There are a number of challenges to delivery restorative justice effectively. organisation or individuals and if there regarding the implementation of Many pointed out the need for cultural are complaints against police officers restorative justice from an operational change within policing if we want to see we get asked to facilitate that.” [RJ Hub policing perspective. Competing significant and meaningful change that Manager, civilian police staff] demands mean that restorative justice aligns with restorative justice: is often not an area of priority, and “What we are also looking at, as well there is a lack of resources to deliver “If I was the Chief I would make as your official RJ, is taking a coaching restorative practice and train officers everything that we do internally, style of managing. So it is almost like effectively. Furthermore, there is a restorative…the way we deal with a culture change to make restorative tendency for front-line staff to see conflict, staffing issues…to think in approaches part of your everyday restorative interventions as a quick fix. a restorative way. We shouldn’t be policing rather than just another tool in This perception damages its reputation; hurrying up our jobs, we should actually the box” [Police officer] some individuals highlighted a lack of be taking longer to do the right thing confidence in using it. and to get the best for the victim.” As long as our institutions remain [Police officer] the same, we cannot expect different There are also challenges when working results. If we are all committed to with service providers who lack an “I would embed it more within the significant long-term change that understanding of police processes or organisation. So using restorative justice reflects restorative justice values, then who do not always have access to police principles and fair process within HR we must also reform of our institutions. systems. By commissioning external and how people interact with each other providers or creating internal hubs, would make big difference.” [RJ Hub Dr Kerry Clamp, Assistant Professor in there is a ‘distancing effect’ whereby Manager, civilian police staff] Criminology, University of Nottingham officers only need to know enough to Full report available here. make a referral – but many highlighted These quotations highlight the that they were not doing so. Some importance of considering the internal argued that a referral process limits environment in which officers work. officers’ exposure to restorative justice, People replicate what they experience, which leads to a lack of buy-in. Indeed, and their practice tends to reflect what Resolution 8
Paul’s story
In a previous issue of When I was 20, my lifestyle was chaotic. I was a drug dealer and fighting all the time. I’d been to prison twice for Resolution, Dawn talked robberies and burglaries - a lot of violence. I didn’t care who I hurt or what got in my way. If I wanted it, I’d get it. All I cared about her experience about was myself. of meeting the man who One night I was out with my girlfriend, my sister and my sister’s boyfriend. We went to a few clubs in Nottingham’s city grievously assaulted her centre. At the end of the night my sister and her boyfriend caught the bus home. I was too drunk for a taxi. We only lived husband. 20 minutes from the city centre and thought we might as well walk. We were walking home, and that’s when I saw Stuart. In that moment, I thought he was trying to hit me so I lost my temper with him and beat him up. Well, I more than beat him up. I kept jumping on his head. Left him. Came back and did Here, Paul – who the same. Left him. Came back and did the same. Then I got carried out the assault arrested. While I was fighting with the police, I looked up and saw they – tells the story from his had started taping off the street. Paramedics, ambulance, police - blue lights everywhere. It was at that point that I perspective. thought he was dead. I thought I’d killed him. I don’t really 9 Issue 64: Summer 2019
“I didn’t care who I hurt or what got in my way. All I cared about was myself.”
know how I felt at the time. I guess for my own selfish reasons, myself, thinking about it, going over it, and that’s when I I was hoping he wasn’t going to die. I thought if he dies then started to put answers together. that’s it, I’m done. On the morning of the meeting, I felt horrible. Really agitated, They kept me in the police station for a few days. They didn’t nervous and sick. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know want to charge me for wounding with intent, because if he how Dawn was going to react. Sitting there and telling her I died on the Monday it would become a murder investigation. had tried to kill her husband - that was hard. But I’d decided They were waiting for the outcome. They finally charged me I wasn’t going to lie about anything. I was open and honest on the Monday and then the following day, I went to prison on about it all. What I said to Dawn was that I was going to speak remand. They initially charged me with wounding with intent, to her as though I was the old me, the person I was that night. but my solicitor came to see me and said the prosecution Then I would explain the changes I’ve made to become the were upping the charge to attempted murder because of new me, the person I am today. I thought that was a better the severity of the crime and because his injuries were life way of doing it because I wasn’t sugar-coating anything; I just changing. But then they dropped the charges back down to basically told her how it was. That’s how I thought back then wounding with intent – I don’t know why. and it’s completely different to how I think now.
To start off, my sentence was fifteen years. But because of my What surprised me at first was that Dawn thought it was violent past, the judge said he had no choice but to imprison motivated by the way Stuart looked. I explained to her that me for public protection with the minimum recommendation it had nothing to do with the way he looked. I said it was of five years. That means I’ve not got a release date – after nothing personal against him. I told her that I know it doesn’t serving five years I can be considered by the parole board to change anything but it wasn’t a personal vendetta; it was be released. That was eight years ago. just because he was there. In our meeting, I went through Dawn’s questions with her and then spent a bit of time going Since then I’ve been kicked out of a few different prisons. I got kicked out for stupid things. Phones, drugs, just being an idiot. Apart from once when I just got caught up in madness. “What surprised me was that Dawn At my first parole hearing three years ago, I knew that Dawn was attending. I agreed to sit down and listen to the impact thought it was motivated by the way statement from the victim and put my side across. I said that I Stuart looked. I said I know it doesn’t wanted to apologise to her for what had happened. We ended change anything, but it was nothing up not meeting that day, but in 2017, my offender manager at HMP Lindholme came to see me and asked if I would be personal.” interested in doing restorative justice.
At first I was a bit sceptical. I couldn’t see how any good could through what I’ve done to change myself whilst I’ve been in come from it. I’d turned their lives upside down and didn’t prison to make sure it doesn’t happen again when I get out in think anything I could say would change that. And sitting the community. After listening to all the courses I’ve done in across the table from someone whose life I’d destroyed - I prison, I think she was pleased with the changes I’ve made. I didn’t feel I could do that. think she was confident that I have turned myself around and that I am sincere about my apology.
“At first I was a bit sceptical. I couldn’t I’ve taken courses to do with offending behaviour and violence. At first I didn’t even know what I’d done on that see how any good could come from it.” night. Back then my naïve thinking was that he was going to hit me first. But through the courses, I’ve learn to look back with a different mindset. That night he had done nothing I was introduced to Peter, a restorative justice facilitator wrong and my behaviour was totally unprovoked. He didn’t from Notts Victim CARE. He visited me regularly to give me deserve it in any way. I realised that the way I carried myself information about how the day would go. I found the process would have come across as intimidating to somebody. The a lot easier after meeting Peter. He put my mind at ease. way I approached him would cause anyone to have their back He shared the questions Dawn would be asking so that I up and jump, and I misinterpreted that as him trying to hit me. could give myself time to prepare to answer in the best way For a while I was also trying to hide behind the fact that I was I possibly could. Questions like: why him? What were my drunk so that I wouldn’t have to face what I had done. intentions that night? Was I trying to kill him? Was it because of the way he looked? At first I wondered how I was going to When I started to work on it and put it all into place, I realised answer these questions. But then I spent a bit of time with none of it needed to happen. My son has grown up without Resolution 10
a mum and dad for a while so that has changed the way The last time I hit somebody was 2016. I have no intention of he was brought up. My family, her family, all of those lives doing it anymore. It doesn’t make you feel good at all to hit ruined and it didn’t need to happen at all. Those five minutes someone. It’s the easy way out. Sitting down with somebody didn’t need to happen. I’ve done a lot of vocational courses and working though the issues you have is more effective. as well, to better my chances of being employed when I get Using the skills I’ve learned from certain courses, putting out: bricklaying, carpentry, painting and decorating, fitness them into practice on a daily basis, will help me achieve instruction, personal training and barbering. I want to give better outcomes from situations. It will keep me from creating myself a decent chance to get a job when I’m released. further problems. Now, when I get out and find myself in a situation with a threat of violence, I feel I will be able to get When I came into prison I had no qualifications. It wasn’t until myself out of the situation. I put my mind to it that I surprised myself, actually, by how clever I am. The courses I was taking weren’t just basic entry- Now I’m glad not just for my sake but for Dawn’s and Stuart’s level. They were high-level, and I was passing. It gives me as well that he pulled through. I know their lives will never be confidence to know that if I put my mind to it, I can actually the same again; I’ve completely turned them upside down. achieve something. What upsets me as well is knowing that they couldn’t start a family because of what I’d done that night. I don’t think I can I’d encourage anybody who’s in a situation where they have really describe how that feels, knowing that I’ve taken that created victims to consider restorative justice. Not just for chance away from them through mindless violence. It’s not a their own benefit but for the benefit of the other people nice feeling. affected as well. When you commit a crime against someone, you don’t hear anything about what happens to them. You I’m 28 now and I’ve been here for nearly ten years. You start rob them or have a fight with them and then you move on. to lose hope and begin to feel trapped and lost in the system. But listening to the effect my actions had on their lives, even In the past year I’ve taken no courses because there’s nothing many years later, has made me realise how many lives I’ve left for me to do. I’ve done it all so I’m just waiting. I’ve got destroyed in the past without realising it. At the time, you parole coming up in June and this time they’ve put a release don’t care about the consequences. Sitting down with Dawn, plan in place, so I think I’ve got a good chance of getting though, listening to the struggles they’d been through, and released. That’s what is keeping me focussed at the minute - the struggles they are still going through – it was a big wake that I could be out at the end of summer. up call for me. I don’t want to create any more victims. Dawn said she doesn’t want to hear when people do bad It’s made me think that no matter how small my actions are, things; she wants to know when people do good things. the consequences can be massive. That night has ruined a lot So we’ve put a plan in place for when I get released. My of lives in more ways than one, and all because of my actions. probation worker will keep Dawn updated on the good things The ripple effect of that night is still going on to this day. I’m doing in the community to reassure her that I’m not going Through Dawn, Stuart, their family, my family, the community to do what I’ve done to anybody else. – it’s had a devastating effect. The RJC would like to thank Paul for sharing his story with us.
“I’d encourage anybody to consider restorative justice, for their own benefit and the benefit of the people affected.” 11 Issue 64: Summer 2019
Carol’s story
hotel but it was full, so they drove to one that was further Nyki was killed in a away. That’s when the accident happened. It was a horrible, windy, rainy night in January. The car that Michael was driving car crash as a result of did a U-turn and went straight into a lamppost. Nyki took the full impact, and from what I’ve been told she died instantly. careless driving. Michael passed out and when he woke up he didn’t have a scratch on him. This was about 6 o’clock in the morning.
“I’d been staying at my friend’s overnight. Nyki’s best friend Here, Nyki’s mum Carol Dawn was trying to contact me. She said you need to come home. I kept ringing Nyki’s phone but of course there was no describes how meeting answer. the man responsible “When I got to the house, I saw the police and I knew it had to be something bad. I thought maybe Nyki’s been in an accident helped her get answers or she’s been hurt and is in hospital. But I never for one minute thought that she’d died. I couldn’t believe what they were telling me. Nyki was never one to be out at that time in and to cope with what the morning. She always loved her home and her little dog. I happened. thought, why was she out? “I rang my sister and asked her to come over. I told her on the phone and she was hysterical. She had to get someone to tell all my family before anybody heard it in the media. I was absolutely numb. I don’t remember much. They asked me to “I had a very close relationship with Nyki, my daughter. identify Nyki and I said I couldn’t do it - Dawn went instead. We ran a café together and spent a lot of time together. My two sons were also very close to her. We’re a close family. “We went to see Nyki the next day. She looked like she was “Nyki was 39 when the accident happened. She would have asleep - just beautiful. All she had was a little mark on the side been 40 at the end of June. She was a very popular girl and of her face. Apparently, all the injury was at the back, which I was planning lots of different events to celebrate her 40th. We didn’t see. I remember my son just collapsed on the floor. He were all very excited about that. was heartbroken. Both of my sons were in bits. I was the one who had to be strong for them. “Nyki and Michael had a bit of an on-off relationship. They’d been seeing each other and then he went to work abroad. “Over the next few days, I was in another world. I couldn’t When he came back, they got quite close again. even make a drink, I couldn’t do anything. As the weeks went “Nyki was a caterer and that night she’d done somebody’s on there was the post-mortem, and all the things we had to 40th birthday party at the local rugby club. Afterwards she’d organise for the funeral and sorting out Nyki’s personal stuff. gone for some drinks her friends, and then had gone back to John, my family liaison officer, was there for me all the time. her friend’s house, next door to where she lived. Nyki couldn’t He became the person I would go to first. That relationship find the keys to her house, so she rang Michael and asked if helped me to get through it. Nyki’s friends had organised a he’d come around and try to get into her house. He came and balloon release on the Green a few days later and there were tried to get in, but obviously he couldn’t. about 300 people there. At the funeral there were hundreds of people in the church. She was so popular. “Nyki had a little dog named Molly, so she was upset about not being to get into the house to look after her. For some “At the time I didn’t give too much thought to Michael. I do reason, they decided that they would go and try to get a hotel remember thinking that Nyki thought the world of him so to stay in overnight. They tried to book a room in the nearby he couldn’t have been a bad lad. Obviously I knew he’d been drinking. I knew he’d admitted he’d taken some cocaine or Resolution 12
there was a trace of it in the results. But I never felt like I relationship like? How did he feel about effectively killing her hated him. - not intentionally but he still has to live with it - how does he feel about that? He told me all of that. “It was quite a close community, and people started saying that Michael wanted to see me, to talk to me. That he’s “He told me about the record that was playing in the car and absolutely distraught and he actually came to the funeral but what they were talking about. He said that if the accident the police told him he had to leave. I was told at that time not hadn’t happened, they would probably be together as a to speak to him because there were legal things that had to be couple. gone through - court and everything. “He talked about all the times he’d spent with her. He said that “When we went to court it was very tense and hostile she was magical, and that she’d taught him so much in life. He between our family and Michael’s. I’m visually impaired so I said he was going to try and turn his life around and be the can’t see facial expressions from a distance. But everybody person that she would want him to be. kept saying that he appeared to have a bit of a blasé attitude. That he’d convinced himself that it was a momentary lapse of “He didn’t remember a lot about the accident itself because concentration and that it was an accident and that he didn’t it happened so quickly and he was unconscious. He told me feel in any way to blame. that when he came round, he tried to wake Nyki up. He didn’t “The charge was initially know that she had died until later, at the police station. dangerous driving, but they didn’t have enough proof, so in the end it was careless driving. He was given five years with a “In court they kept saying that Nyki was just a friend. I was third off for pleading guilty. I think he did about 16 months in really upset about that because they were more than friends. total. I wanted him to acknowledge their relationship. When I did “In one sense I knew that prison wasn’t really the answer. But the restorative justice he told me that that’s what the solicitor I also knew that he needed to have some punishment. The said in court but he never asked him to say that. The court sentence was probably about as good as it could get. For us it doesn’t do anybody any favours. It makes everybody angry was some sort of achievement, but it didn’t feel particularly with each other, and things get said that probably aren’t the good because we’d lost Nyki. I was a bit disappointed that it truth. You come away from it feeling very angry about the wasn’t longer, but then I thought it’s not going to bring her whole process. back, it won’t make anybody feel any better. “He said that in the court he was in absolute bits. He nearly “John had mentioned restorative justice to me before the tried to jump over the bannister in the court because he was sentencing. He knew that I wanted to talk to Michael. But I so stressed. But that hadn’t come across. didn’t like Michael’s attitude in court so I thought he doesn’t care, and I didn’t want to go any further with it. We talked “The only question he had for me was about not being able to about it again when Michael was in prison, but he was in a attend the funeral. I had to tell him that it wouldn’t have been bad place then. Eventually we agreed that we would meet up. possible for him to be there, with all Nyki’s family and friends. I wanted to ask questions that only Michael could answer. “I wanted to know exactly what happened that night. It “At the end of the meeting we both stood up and we gave became a bit of an obsession for me. When exactly did he go each other a hug. We called it a Nyki hug, because Nyki was to meet Nyki? What was their relationship at that point? What such a hugger. We both felt like she was there, in a way. That’s did they talk about in the car? What did he remember about how we ended it. the accident? What did he feel afterwards? “I’m glad I’ve done it. It was what I wanted right from the “I also felt like on that night, it was just the two of us involved. start. I don’t think you can quantify the outcome - it depends He was with her. I wasn’t there, but I’m Nyki’s mum. It was like on you as a person. But I know what I got out of it. I’ve never we hadn’t had the chance to discuss all of that. been an angry person or a resentful person. But all those feelings can come out in you if you don’t deal with them. “I told hardly anybody I was going to meet him. Because Restorative justice helped me to cope with what happened. people try to influence you. They don’t understand. I had a lot of support from John, Phil and Helena. They all came with me. “I was asked recently, how do you feel about forgiveness? And I had my guide dog Rosie with me. Forgiveness is an absolutely massive word, isn’t it? Before anything major happens in your life you think it’s just about “Once Michael came in, we just started talking. I asked him little things - forgiving your best mate for saying something all the things that I wanted to ask him. I’d always had these you don’t like. But this goes a lot deeper than that. I can questions in my head about what happened. What did he accept that it’s happened, and I do wish Michael to find peace think about Nyki? Where were they going? What was their in his life because God knows it must be awful to live with the 13 Issue 64: Summer 2019
thought that you’ve been responsible for someone’s death. But I feel like if I say I’ve forgiven you, it’s one step too far at the moment. “I do want to see Michael again, because we share something. We share Nyki, in a way. He loved her. I want to know how he’s doing, and what he’s going to do with his life. I don’t know why, because why should I care? I’ve talked to Helena about that and she’s going to try to sort something out. If none of this had happened and Nyki was still alive, and he and Nyki were together, I think we would have got on really well. “Nyki had so many lovely friends and she’s always in our hearts. I feel like she’s with me all the time.”
The RJC would like to thank Lancashire Constabulary and Carol for sharing her story with us. Resolution 14
Empowering individuals through merging the arts with restorative approaches
trustees who oversee the project and Ten years ago, Clair Aldington and three of them are former clients of ours. her colleague Alyson Halcrow set up They’re all people harmed through Space2face, a restorative justice arts crime.” organisation. The organisation uses the arts, specifically making art and gifting Various sources of inspiration guide it, to enable people to explore the past, Clair’s work in Space2face: “I often its consequences and how to move on show Howard Hodgkin’s work to clients. in the aftermath of harm. He was a painter who tried to paint emotional situations; he painted the The idea of combining the arts with emotion of it, not the situation. He restorative practice arose when painted in a frame, and the paint would Clair worked for the Oxfordshire overflow from the canvas and onto the Youth Offending Service. Clair has frame. Through doing this, I feel he a background in the arts, having was showing how emotion is too big to completed a Masters in Contemporary contain within the frame, so it explodes Arts and Music. She has been practising out all over the frame.” Her approach Clair Aldington has as a restorative practitioner trained with with clients focuses on emotions Thames Valley Police since 2001, and rather than the situation itself, looking been jointly running a as an RJC-accredited practitioner since at colours and shapes to symbolise restorative justice arts 2016. Therefore, for Clair, the marriage emotions as part of the restorative of these two passions is of great process. organisation in Shetland, interest. Clair explains that the idea of which became an Space2face is “to offer a space to face Clair also references Kintsugi, a independent charity in what’s happened to people, or what Japanese art in which the cracks of they have caused, and a space to reflect broken pottery are filled with a lacquer 2016. Margarita Stewart- on that together.” mixed with powdered silver, gold or Lorente, a Masters platinum. “The Japanese look at repair student from Nottingham Usually, the person responsible gifts the in a different way than we see it in the person harmed. However, sometimes West. In the West, we throw it away if University on placement the gifting consists of a dual exchange. it’s cracked. I sometimes use Kintsugi with the RJC, spoke to In one case, the person harmed gifted as a representation of the restorative the person responsible. Clair adds, “It’s process. You can’t take away damage Clair to find out more very important that the gift is of a high done but can make something beautiful about the role arts and standard, otherwise you’re at risk of it out of it. It will never be the same. The art-making can play looking like you don’t care about what harm can still be seen. Harm can be you’re gifting, and re-victimising the physical or psychological and will never in a restorative justice person.” really go away, but restorative practice process. can help people to move on.” Clair is keen to point out that Space2face is not therapy. In fact, she In addition to Space2face, Clair is also says, it is the complete opposite. “In undertaking PhD research based on art, art therapy it’s purely process; the design and restorative practice, entitled end product doesn’t matter, whereas “Drawing a Line: the ability of the co- Space2face is based on the idea of created artefact to become a symbol making a handmade gift. The gift can be of solidarities between participants any art form, which is then gifted to the in a restorative justice process”. other person involved in the conflict. “Drawing a line is the first thing we do It’s focused on the end result.” Some in any creative endeavour, whether it’s examples of previous gifts include a drawing a line on an architectural plan bench, photography, candle-making, or chiselling a line out of a piece of painting, textiles and creative writing. wood or putting a first brush mark on canvas. It’s also what clients say they People harmed through crime play want out of the process. They want to a key part in the governance of the make a mark or line in the sand in order organisation. Clair says: “We have six to be able to move on and they feel 15 Issue 64: Summer 2019
that the process can help them draw that line. I thought that solidarities will be.” However, Clair highlights that in order phrase captured both the art making practice and restorative to maintain that heightened emotional, positive state from practice.” successful meetings, object symbols of solidarity are required as reminders, which can potentially lead to longer term Clair is very grateful for having received Arts and Humanities behaviour change in individuals. Clair’s PhD is investigating Research Council funding from Northumbria and Sunderland the potential for the gifted objects created by participants Universities to conduct her PhD research, which has received in restorative processes to become those object symbols of ethical approval from Northumbria University. solidarity.
The PhD is practice-based, which enables Clair to work as both Clair’s PhD research has enabled her to deepen her a restorative practitioner and an art-maker. In her studies, Clair understanding of how the arts and design can be applied to draws inspiration from the criminologist Meredith Rossner, restorative approaches. “It’s given me a better awareness of who wrote the book Just Emotions. Meredith microanalyses the national and international context. It’s been really lovely restorative conferences (where the person harmed meets the to have the privilege of spending a year reading about the person responsible face-to-face) in terms of interaction ritual. subject and different examples of restorative practice around As Clair explains, “The symbol of solidarity in my title comes the world, learning that increasingly, there are creative from some of Meredith Rossner’s work. In terms of interaction approaches to restorative practice.” as ritual, restorative justice seems to fit well with some of the key ingredients. One of those is that an emotional turning In 2020, Clair hopes to exhibit the work from her research point needs to occur in a successful interaction to make a and the art objects created by clients who’ve kindly agreed deeper connection with the other person or group of people. to participate in the research. “I hope that as well as a The results of this turning point can result in bodily solidarities thesis, which I have to produce for my PhD, there will be being formed. These can be a handshake, a touch on the an exhibition of my work that I will have made as part of shoulder, for example. These are described in interaction my research, but also work made by research participants.” ritual as solidarities. The more there are, the stronger the For Clair, the combination of her work with that of research participants is very important. It is a co-creation.
Contact: email: [email protected] website: www.clairaldington.com/project/space2face/ twitter: @AldingtonClair Facebook: www.facebook.com/space2faceshetland/
References: Collins, R. (2004). Interaction ritual chains. Princeton University Press. Rossner, M. (2013). Just emotions : Rituals of restorative justice. Oxford University Press.
Gifted tree sculpture. Image copyright Clair Aldington Resolution 16
Reducing conflict and improving relationships in Lincolnshire schools
The Lincolnshire Behaviour Outreach Support Service (BOSS) works on behalf of the county council to support schools to deliver and an inclusive approach to learning and maintain children’s positive engagement in schools. Here, Clare Boardman manager of BOSS’s Restorative Service, describes how they are embedding restorative approaches in schools across Lincolnshire.
Restorative approaches help pupils, Council devised a selection process and In September 2016, together with teachers and practitioners to uncover selected sixteen schools. These schools Family Action, Restorative Solutions the unmet needs of the child, identifying received training for key staff members, set up the Restorative Service to solutions to disruptive behaviour and consultancy and support. They have a provide restorative approaches to conflict. These approaches encourage continuing relationship with BOSS and all Lincolnshire schools. The service children to explore what happened, to have access to additional support and is commissioned by Family Action in consider who else has being affected training. Partnership with Lincolnshire County and to become part of the solution. Council to help reduce permanent We work with pupils and staff in a exclusions in the county. It sits within The principal aim is to develop good variety of restorative ways (see below). the Behaviour Outreach Support Service relationship skills and the ability We choose which interventions to (BOSS), which offers mainstream to resolve conflict when it arises. use based on an assessment that schools/academies assessment, Restorative work seeks to build, repair considers the child’s ability to cope planning, direct intervention and and maintain relationships using several with the process, what issues need to support to staff to develop more different strategies. The process is be addressed and whether the child effective inclusive provision and suitable for major disagreements, has internalised and put the blame on practice. This includes bespoke bullying, assaults on other pupils or themselves. We work to ensure that we individual behaviour plans, transition teachers, disruptive behaviour and any do not reinforce any negative messages, planning, reintegration and a wide range breakdown in relationships. and we seek to empower children to be of training to staff relating to behaviour able to make more positive choices in support and the use of restorative A number of schools within Lincolnshire the future. approaches. put themselves forward to become restorative schools. Lincolnshire County We have created a variety of resources
Restorative conversations are held to help pupils develop the ability to understand and explain how they were feeling, identify how they react when they have these feelings and how they respond appropriately to them in the future.
Shuttle conferences/Restorative letters allow information to pass between both parties, enabling them to find solutions to conflicts or issues.
Restorative booklets are used with younger children where practitioners works alongside children to help them draw and write their thoughts and feelings in a child-friendly booklet.
Restorative meetings/conferences occur after an assessment, bringing parties together so that everyone in an incident can share how they feel about it and how they have been affected. Everyone is given the opportunity to make right what went wrong and to find a solution that enables everybody to move forward.
Restorative Circles can be carried out in different formats. Pupils can be brought together to help problem-solve issues with one other. We also carry out fun circles that can be developed with different themes like promoting friendship skills or accepting others’ differences. 17 Issue 64: Summer 2019
including leaflets, restorative guides work and is now embedded in day-to- in adopting restorative approaches. for practitioners, restorative booklets, day practices and procedures. All BOSS In the next year, we hope to work visual aid cards and resources for use in workers have undertaken the restorative closely with another six schools, further restorative circles. We have developed practitioner training, enabling the embedding restorative approaches evaluation forms for pupils and staff service to extend their reach within the across the county. and have set up a system to monitor the county. progress and quality of the work carried Clare Boardman, Restorative Service out. Through collaborative work with Key members of staff at the schools Manager, Lincolnshire Behaviour the schools, we have developed our received training in restorative Outreach Support Service training package to suit their needs. The approaches as well as additional service was awarded the Restorative support, guidance and consultation. clareboardman@restorativesolutions. Service Quality Mark by the Restorative Some of these schools have now org.uk Justice Council in August 2018. written restorative practices into their behaviour policies. As a result, other The restorative service has become schools in the county have a growing an integral part of Lincolnshire’s BOSS developmental awareness and interest
Improving a strained relationship between teacher and pupil
A 12-year-old boy was having relationship difficulties with his teacher. A restorative conversation was held with him. He said he felt targeted and as though no matter what he did, he was blamed for everything bad that happened in the class. He felt as though he was never given a fresh start and that previous incidents were constantly brought up. He stated that he hated the lesson and said he had adopted the attitude of giving the teacher the behaviour he knew was expected of him, which was to be a troublemaker.
A restorative meeting was held between the teacher and the boy. Both were able to share their thoughts and feelings. The teacher explained his frustrations and stated that he only every wanted to get the best out of him; he informed the pupil that he was personally upset. The pupil admitted that he had not realised the impact his behaviour had on the teacher. Both agreed to put previous incidents behind them and start fresh.
Since the restorative meeting, both have described their relationship as very good and greatly strengthened by their shared experience.
Reducing minor arguments amongst pupils
One school was concerned about the number of petty squabbles and arguments occurring amongst all age groups, especially in the playground, with children blaming each other for conflicts without recognising their own contributions to the situation.
A restorative circle was carried out. The activities chosen focused on children learning about getting along together. This involved looking at different perspectives and accepting one other’s opinions. We explored managing feelings and introduced the idea of empathy. We carried out tasks dealing with conflict resolution. The children were given the opportunity to practice what they had talked about through team games and roleplay. The session concluded with the children sharing what they had learnt from the circle time.
Following the sessions, the school gave positive verbal feedback that the number of incidents had reduced and children were now more respectful to each other. Resolution 18
A problem page for restorative practitioners
At the RJC, we support restorative practitioners by publishing guidance and creating peer support networks. In Help! this regular feature, we look at questions raised by practitioners in the field. Q
disability may have difficulty describing events; recalling the chronology of a set of events; or organising their thoughts into a coherent story that can be shared. They may also remember events that have no bearing on the main event A This question was posed on Twitter by Darren Carson, who or they may prioritise the remembering of certain aspects asked for advice and tips from practitioners in his network: in excessive detail. For example a person with autism may remember and prioritise details of what colour and make of “I was working on a case which involved a young person sweatshirt a person was wearing but not remember what who had committed two serious offences. One of the that person said or did. harmed individuals was significantly affected and myself and colleagues worked really hard to support the individual • Exclusive language - a person with autism may have through the cycle of recovery. The harmed individual had difficulty separating out thoughts and feelings when several questions which would be difficult for the harmer to responding to questions such as “what happened?” and respond to due to some complex needs. “how did it make you feel?”. A person with autism who is unable to respond to questions about feelings can be invited “Following a request for assistance ‘SOS’ on social media to describe specific physical sensations - which can be I received a fantastic response not only from restorative indicative of feelings - that they associate with specific past colleagues but those with special educational needs and events. speech and language expertise. I’ve worked on a number of sensitive and complex cases and always found input from • Rules and expectations – sitting in a circle may be the other professionals invaluable. preferred approach of a practitioner, but the degree of eye contact this creates can be hard for the person with autism. “The main themes that came through were the use of Various techniques can be employed to support individuals ‘visual’ aids to help with the understanding of the harm - the use of a glove which is put on when someone wants caused and importantly, impact on others. These included to speak, the use of gaffa tape to mark an oblong on the the use of ‘comic strip’ stories, photos, linking colours to floor around a seat as the boundary for pacing and the use emotions and inventive use of the compass of shame. of visual icons on a small poster for agreed rules. Providing an elastic band or Blu Tack for fiddling or using a small “The suggestions were not only helpful in this case but can wastepaper bin as a turn taking object pushed by foot from be used to engage young people generally in restorative person to person may also be helpful. practice. Finally I’d like to give a big thank you to all the Restorative / SEND / SALT colleagues who helped.” The RJC would like to thank Darren Carson and all A Restorative Justice Council guide, written by Bonita practitioners who responded. Holland, provides suggestions for how to make restorative practice more inclusive so that participants with additional If you have a work-related question you’d like to see needs can fully participate in and benefit from a restorative discussed in the next issue of Resolution, or you’re an process. This includes adapting current practice, developing Accredited Practitioner who would like to help answer a creative solutions and sharing effective practice with other question, please email [email protected] facilitators. The guide flags some specific points relevant to working with participants with autism:
• Memory impairment – an individual with a learning 19 Issue 64: Summer 2019
Join us at our AGM and first annual conference
Our 2019 AGM and annual conference will be held in Nottingham on Monday 18 November 2019 to launch International Restorative Justice Week.
Join us for a day of fantastic speakers, engaging workshop sessions and opportunities to network with others in the restorative practice/justice field.
There will be a discounted conference rate for all RJC members. Further information and booking available here
Voices of Young People Show your support for film series restorative justice
Voices of Young People is a series of Anyone can become a supporter for as short films highlighting young people’s little as £3 a month. Supporters help experiences of restorative practice. make our vision of universal access to restorative justice a reality. As a thank What do pupils think of restorative you, we will send you our membership practice in schools? magazine, Resolution, which is packed What difference has restorative justice with interesting stories and case studies made to the perspectives of a young from every field of restorative practice. offender? You will also receive our monthly bulletins with the latest restorative You can watch all three films at here. justice news and discounts on events. Share these films and help us spread the There are additional membership word. categories for restorative practitioners and organisations.
For more information: E: enquiries@ restorativejustice.org.uk W: www. restorativejustice.org.uk. Notices