Developing restorative opportunities in prisons – Lessons from England and Aotearoa New Zealand

• In Event: Institutions and Restorative Justice

Abstract

Whilst for many proponents restorative justice was developed as the antithesis of punishment, the use of restorative justice within prisons is steadily increasing. Restorative justice can take many forms in a prison setting, including a facilitated meeting between the victim, offender and others affected by the crime; addressing conflict within the prison community; dealing with prisoner discipline; building positive relationships between those living and working in prisons; and supporting those in prison to take steps to repair relationships with their family and loved ones prior to their release. Implementing restorative justice within prisons, however, is not without its challenges. It may be difficult to implement restorative justice in an environment and culture that is seemingly incompatible with restorative justice values, or in a space where using restorative processes might be seen as being inappropriate for serious offences.

Drawing on research findings on restorative practice in prisons in England and Aotearoa New Zealand, this paper considers the appropriateness and effectiveness of using prison as a space for restorative justice. First, the paper presents findings from interviews with victims and prisoners to help us to better understand the motivations of, the gains and risks for, and the impact on, victims and offenders who take part in restorative processes in prison. Secondly, the paper interrogates the ways in which the space – the prison – affects the degree to which restorative justice can be successfully implemented. In so doing, the paper unpacks the opportunities and challenges for prisons in using restorative practice in prisons and proposes ways to minimise those challenges. The paper concludes that creating opportunities for restorative justice in prisons has the potential to be a humanising experience for victims and offenders in an often dehumanising prison environment.

Author

• Katherine Doolin, University of Auckland, New Zealand