'We need more victims to talk about the impact of crime if we want to reduce reoffending'
Devon's High Sheriff Mark Ansell says the current system needs to be transformed
Only four victims of crime out of every 1,000 meet the perpetrators across Devon and Cornwall - something High Sheriff Mark Ansell has vowed to change.
The former business leader and entrepreneur has made Restorative Justice (RJ) the focus of his year in office - as he works across the criminal justice system to increase participation.
Restorative Justice gives people harmed by crime the opportunity, where appropriate and facilitated by trained practitioners under carefully controlled conditions, to engage in a dialogue with the person responsible after sentencing.
Mr Ansell said: "It gives victims a chance to ask questions, explain the impact of the crime and seek answers, while giving offenders the opportunity to understand the consequences of their actions and take responsibility. The process can be transformational for both parties."
A report by the University of Sheffield evaluating seven Cambridge University-led experiences in Restorative Justice found that it reduces reoffending by up to 27%. Government figures show currently 80% of crime is reoffending.
"There is no doubt in my mind that Devon and Cornwall are already at the national forefront of demonstrating how to implement an effective structure for Restorative Justice.
“Yet despite all the research and data showing that RJ is good for victims and offenders and can be transformational for both, and is great value for taxpayers, despite RJ being a clearly articulated right in the Victim Code for all victims of crime, despite excellent RJ practitioners Make Amends being in place in Devon and Cornwall funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, despite Devon and Cornwall Police having a nationally-respected dedicated RJ Coordinator in place and a good referral process. Right now an RJ process is activated in Devon and Cornwall in an estimated less than 4 in 1,000 cases.
“After seeing the brilliant play PUNCH at Theatre Royal Plymouth together in April, the Chief Constable, the Police and Crime Commissioner and I agreed that less than the estimated 4 in 1000 in Devon and Cornwall should and could be changed to more than 4 in 100.
"Crucially, this is about empowering victims of crime. While we understand in some instances there’s no suspect, or the victim doesn’t want to go ahead, or other reasons why it doesn’t happen, we all think RJ can and should happen more. It will be exciting and, I hope, significant, to bring most of the key players in RJ in Devon and Cornwall together in one room with the aim of coming up with an action plan to move things forward.
"There is no reason why Devon and Cornwall can’t be the national template for best practice. We appreciate it will take time, but this is an important start and we owe it to victims of crime to genuinely give them the opportunity of Restorative Justice.”