Father of Adam Rogers meets son’s teenage killer in prison
Oct 27, 2011
from the story by Sam Chadderton in Lancashire Telegraph:
Adam Rogers’s father and his teenage killer have come face to face in an ‘emotional’ prison meeting.
.... Dave Rogers who has campaigned with wife Pat for an end to senseless violence in their 24-year-old son’s memory, said he would recommend the ‘restorative justice’ process to other grieving families.
....Dave said: “I have a long-standing interest in restorative justice and believe it is an important principle that in a lot of cases can bring offenders and victims together.
“Personally, I wanted to make sure Billy was aware of the consequences of what he had done.
"Unless somebody does that they cannot begin to face up to what they’ve done and progress with a new life.
“Pat and I said at the trial that Adam was gone and it would give us no satisfaction to see another life ruined.
“I also wanted a clearer understanding of what happened that night.
"Only he could tell me that.
“It was certainly worthwhile for me and I hope for him.
"For me it was because I got my messages across.
"I did learn and understand more about that night.
"He was receptive and it was positive that he wanted to meet me.
“I knew it was going to be emotional for him and for me.
"It was difficult, there was upset.
"It was intended to help him get his life back on track and, for us, that would be the most satisfying thing in terms of Adam’s memory.”
victims meeting juvenile offenders face-to-face
Is victim offender dialogue appropriate for all offenders? I think it is. Do all crime victims choose to meet their offenders? The question should be does the justice system allow victims to choose to meet their offenders? The option should be there for all victims to participate in restorative justice processes.
As in this case, there are important benefits for the crime victim as well as for the offender.
Lisa Rea
Rea Consulting
Victims-Driven Restorative Justice
U.S.