Naomi Long highlights the benefits of restorative justice

Restorative justice can bring transformative change and healing to victims, perpetrators and communities across the criminal justice spectrum, Naomi Long said at the second Restorative Justice Council Conference.

With this year’s theme ‘Breaking the Cycle’, the conference provided a platform for leading experts and those working in the field to raise the profile of restorative justice, along with restorative practice more generally.

In her opening remarks, Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “Restorative justice is all about repairing harm, building relationships and reducing offending. We know it can bring significant benefits not only to victims of crime, but also to perpetrators, their families and wider communities.

“It is important that we encourage all those who have the levers at their disposal to consider developing restorative practices as an early intervention in schools and communities, before individuals come into contact with the criminal justice system.

“Unfortunately, some will enter the system, and we need to consider how best to meet the needs of everyone affected: the victim, the offender and the community.”

Naomi Long added: “Through restorative justice, positive and impactful outcomes can be achieved, including through work under the Adult Restorative Justice Strategy. However, its successful development can only be delivered through effective partnerships and good working relationships. The organisations and individuals involved are essential to this and I hope our connections will be strengthened so that together we can deliver the best outcomes for all those affected by offending and crime.”

Participants at the conference included representatives from Queens University Belfast, Ulster University, members of community restorative justice organisations (Northern Ireland Alternatives and Community Restorative Justice Ireland), as well as the Probation Board for Northern Ireland and the Education Authority.