news
United Nations Publishes Handbook on Restorative Justice
Document Actions
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.
Restorative justice captured the attention of government representatives to United Nations Congress
on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders (UN Crime Congress) conducted in Vienna in 2000. As a result, the Vienna
Declaration on Crime and Justice: Meeting the Challenges of the
Twenty-first Century called for “the development of restorative
justice policies, procedures and programmes that are respectful of the
rights, needs and interests of victims, offenders and communities and
all other parties.”
In 2002, the Economic and Social Council endorsed the Declaration of Basic Principles on the Use of Restorative Justice Programmes in Criminal Matters as a guide to countries seeking to implement these programmes.
The 2005 UN Crime Congress held in Bangkok concluded with a declaration recognizing the benefits of restorative justice and again urging Member States to further develop restorative justice programmes.
This new Handbook was developed under the direction of the Criminal Justice Reform Unit (CJRU), part of the Rule of Law Section of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime. It was drafted by Yvon Dandurand and Curt T. Griffiths and revised at a meeting of an international group of experts.
The first part of the Handbook focuses on restorative justice concepts, processes, and safeguards. It uses the definition of "restorative process" given in the UN Basic Principles: “any process in which the victim and the offender, and, where appropriate, any other individuals or community members affected by the crime participate together actively in the resolution of matters arising from the crime, generally with the help of a facilitator.”
Chapter one discusses key concepts, programme features, assumptions, values and goals, and objectives. Chapter two reviews the main programmes associated with restorative processes: victim offender mediation, conferencing, circles, reparative probation, community boards and panels. It includes a discussion of indigenous and customary processes for creating justice as well as the variations of programmes found in the criminal justice system.
Chapter three considers how individuals involved in restorative justice programmes can be protected, centering on on the UN Basic Principles. The chapter ends with a listing of principles that might be useful in creating a code of ethics for restorative justice programmes.
In chapter four, the discussion transitions to implementation issues, including how to design programmes, how to ensure there is a legal basis for the programmes, and how to secure support from the community and criminal justice professionals.
Chapter five focuses on the dynamics of restorative justice interventions. It includes a discussion of roles of victims, offenders, police officers, prosecutors, defence attorneys, correctional officials, community members and facilitators. The chapter discusses the need for caution and identifies potential pitfalls to be aware of.
Chapters six and seven cover operation of restorative justice programmes, including referrals, support services, effective community relations, monitoring and evaluation.
The Handbook concludes with three annexes: links for online resources, a copy of the UN Basic Principles, and a discussion of controversies and disagreements surrounding restorative justice.
Hard copies of the Handbook are available from UN Publications for $25.00 (US) each. Electronic versions are available for download at no cost here.
Lynette Parker
February 2007
In 2002, the Economic and Social Council endorsed the Declaration of Basic Principles on the Use of Restorative Justice Programmes in Criminal Matters as a guide to countries seeking to implement these programmes.
The 2005 UN Crime Congress held in Bangkok concluded with a declaration recognizing the benefits of restorative justice and again urging Member States to further develop restorative justice programmes.
This new Handbook was developed under the direction of the Criminal Justice Reform Unit (CJRU), part of the Rule of Law Section of the UN Office of Drugs and Crime. It was drafted by Yvon Dandurand and Curt T. Griffiths and revised at a meeting of an international group of experts.
The first part of the Handbook focuses on restorative justice concepts, processes, and safeguards. It uses the definition of "restorative process" given in the UN Basic Principles: “any process in which the victim and the offender, and, where appropriate, any other individuals or community members affected by the crime participate together actively in the resolution of matters arising from the crime, generally with the help of a facilitator.”
Chapter one discusses key concepts, programme features, assumptions, values and goals, and objectives. Chapter two reviews the main programmes associated with restorative processes: victim offender mediation, conferencing, circles, reparative probation, community boards and panels. It includes a discussion of indigenous and customary processes for creating justice as well as the variations of programmes found in the criminal justice system.
Chapter three considers how individuals involved in restorative justice programmes can be protected, centering on on the UN Basic Principles. The chapter ends with a listing of principles that might be useful in creating a code of ethics for restorative justice programmes.
In chapter four, the discussion transitions to implementation issues, including how to design programmes, how to ensure there is a legal basis for the programmes, and how to secure support from the community and criminal justice professionals.
Chapter five focuses on the dynamics of restorative justice interventions. It includes a discussion of roles of victims, offenders, police officers, prosecutors, defence attorneys, correctional officials, community members and facilitators. The chapter discusses the need for caution and identifies potential pitfalls to be aware of.
Chapters six and seven cover operation of restorative justice programmes, including referrals, support services, effective community relations, monitoring and evaluation.
The Handbook concludes with three annexes: links for online resources, a copy of the UN Basic Principles, and a discussion of controversies and disagreements surrounding restorative justice.
Hard copies of the Handbook are available from UN Publications for $25.00 (US) each. Electronic versions are available for download at no cost here.
Lynette Parker
February 2007
Last modified 2007-02-01 08:15
