February 2007 Edition

Stories include: United Nations Publishes Handbook on Restorative Justice; RJ City Website Launched; Government Report Urges Expanding Restorative Justice Services in Ireland; Book Review: The Little Book of Restorative Justice for People in Prison; Video Review: Complete Victim Offender Mediation and Conferencing Training; Website of the Month: Inafa’ Maolek

United Nations Publishes Handbook on Restorative Justice

In December 2006, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime published the Handbook on Restorative Justice Programmes. One in a series of tools developed to assist governments with criminal justice reforms, the Handbook offers practical information on the concept of restorative justice, the types of restorative processes used throughout the world, and how to create and manage those programmes.

RJ City Website Launched

Would you like to work in RJ City? This is an imaginary City that has decided to respond to all conflict, crime, victims and offenders as restoratively as possible. A conceptual foundation has been laid suggesting how this might be done. Now it is time to add programmes, systems and processes to bring it alive. A new website offers all interested people the opportunity to collaborate in "building the future of justice."

Government Report Urges Expanding Restorative Justice Services in Ireland

In January, a parliamentary committee released a report exploring the current use and possible expansion of restorative justice throughout Ireland. The report concludes with 12 recommendations for strengthening restorative justice programmes, including providing more State support for current programmes, developing legislation, and increasing awareness about restorative justice among criminal justice professionals and the community.

Book Review: The Little Book of Restorative Justice for People in Prison

Restorative justice is often implemented in community settings. In this short book, Barb Toews discusses its application when the offender has been imprisoned.

Video Review: Complete Victim Offender Mediation and Conferencing Training

Bringing victims and offenders together in face-to-face meetings requires sensitivity to the needs of each throughout the process. This 117-minute training video provides a glimpse into the dynamics of these types of meetings by presenting the entire process from preparation to actual mediation for two cases.

Website of the Month: Inafa’ Maolek

Inafa’ Maolek is a conflict resolution organization providing peer mediation training and victim offender mediation services in Guam. This website provides basic information about the organization and its programmes.