Restorative Justice breaking the cycle - Long

Restorative justice can bring transformational change and healing for victims, perpetrators and communities across the criminal justice spectrum.

This was the message delivered by Justice Minister Naomi Long at the second Northern Ireland annual Restorative Justice Council conference held in Belfast.

With the theme this year ‘Breaking the Cycle’, the conference provided a platform to leading experts and those working in the field to raise the profile of restorative justice, along with restorative practice more generally. 

In her opening address Naomi Long said: “Restorative justice is all about repairing harm, building relationships and reducing offending. We know it can bring significant benefits not only for victims of crime but also perpetrators, as well as their wider families and communities. 

“It is important that we encourage all those who have the levers at their disposal to consider the development of restorative practice as an early intervention in schools and communities, before individuals come into contact with the criminal justice system.

“Unfortunately, some will enter the system, and we must consider how best to address the needs of all those affected – the victim, perpetrator and community.”

Naomi Long added: “Through restorative justice positive and impactful outcomes can be achieved, including the work under the Adult Restorative Justice Strategy. However, its successful development can only be delivered through effective partnerships and good working relationships. The organisations and individuals involved are key to this and I hope that our connections are strengthened so that together we can produce the best outcomes for all who are affected by wrongdoing and crime.”

Among those attending the conference were representatives from the Queens University Belfast, Ulster University, members of community based restorative justice organisations (Northern Ireland Alternatives and Community Restorative Justice Ireland) as well as Probation Board for Northern Ireland and the Education Authority.               

Notes to editors: 

1. Work continues within the Department of Justice to deliver on the Adult Restorative Justice Strategy and associated Action Plan. The appointment of an Interim Protocol Lead means work has progressed on the implementation of the 2023 Protocol, to include the development of training and accreditation standards, which is a crucial step forward in embedding restorative approaches across the breadth of the criminal justice system. A year three action plan has also been developed, alongside a year two progress report which will be published within the next few weeks.
2. The conference programme can be found at 2024 Northern Ireland Restorative Conference | Restorative Justice Council
3. The Restorative Justice Council is a UK based independent membership body for the restorative sector, whose mission is to promote and advance the use of restorative practice, in all its forms.. They are involved in the development and evaluation of standards for their members in both training and direct delivery of restorative justice.
4. Further information on the Restorative Justice Council can be found at About the RJC | Restorative Justice Council.
5. Media enquiries should be directed to the Department of Justice Press Office via Email
6. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted out of hours on 028 9037 8110

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