OECS JUVENILE JUSTICE REFORM PROJECT/ JUDICIAL EDUCATION INSTITUTE (JEI) OF THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN SUPREME COURT MAGISTRATES CONFERENCE TRAINING WORKSHOP FOR THE CARIBBEAN LOOKING TOWARDS A NEW DAWN: DIVERSION IN JUVENILE JUSTICE August, 2013 The Verandah Resort & Spa Antigua Indian Town Road, Long Bay, Antigua and Barbuda Session 4 : Restorative Practices Facilitator: Hazel Thompson-Ahye LLM Merit Family Law 1

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES Nature of restorative practices- -Use of formal and informal processes that precede wrongdoing, to proactively build relationships and a sense of community to prevent conflict and wrongdoing. - A social science that studies how to build social capital and achieve social discipline through participatory learning and decision-making. Social capital- network of relationships-connections among individuals Where social capital is well established, it is easier to respond effectively to wrongdoing and restore social order. Fundamental premise of restorative practices People are happier, more co-operative and productive when those in authority do things with them rather than to them or for them. ( Wachtel) is restortive-practices.php 2

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES Use of restorative practices Reduce crime, violence and bullying Improve human behaviour Strengthen civil society Provide effective leadership Restore relationships Repair harm (Wachtel) is restortive-practices.php 3

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES Restorative practices: Circles- may be used: proactively-develop relationships and build community; reactively- to respond to wrongdoing. -give people an opportunity to speak and listen to one another in atmosphere of safety, decorum and equality. 4

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES CIRCLES Wide variety of purposes: Conflict resolution Healing, Support, Decision making Information exchange, Relationship development. Can be used in any organizational, institutional or community setting. 5

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES CIRCLES/ CONFERENCES Types of circles Sequential Non-sequential Fishbowl Family Group Conference(FGC) New Zealand Family Group Decision Making(FGDM) NorthAmerica Social workers/other professionals brief family on available resources; allow family support networks to make important decisions about their loved ones. Process engages, empowers families. 6

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES Informal restorative practices/Formal Restorative practices continuum 1. Affective statements - wronged person lets offender know how he/she feels about the incident. When you disrupt the class, I feel disappointed. 2. Affective question Who do you think has been affected by what you did? Ask question, then wait for offender to respond. 3. Small impromptu conference –spontaneous bringing together of parties, talk about what happened. Immediate apology might be made. ( 1,2, 3 require less planning) 4. Large group 5. Formal conference 7