To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the use of mechanisms for restorative justice. (280265)

I have been asked to reply.

Following the final report of the evaluation of the crime reduction programme restorative justice pilots, our assessment of the effectiveness of restorative justice for adults is that it can deliver high levels of victim satisfaction and can be a positive service for victims if delivered appropriately and sensitively. It may also help to reduce reoffending.