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Restorative Justice

Volume 688: debated on Tuesday 9 January 2007

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Rooker on 9 October (WA 106), whether any system is in place to monitor the welfare of, or to protect, young people who are subject to community restorative justice in Northern Ireland; and whether this puts community restorative justice schemes in the category of summary justice. [HL730]

Community-based restorative justice schemes are voluntary agencies which currently operate entirely independently of government and are therefore not subject to formal scrutiny by government. That is why a protocol for community-based restorative justice schemes has recently been the subject of a public consultation and equality impact assessment. The draft protocol requires that schemes protect the human rights of all participants and, in relation to young offenders in particular, ensure that they are supported by an appropriate individual such as a parent or guardian. It also sets out the requirements for an independent complaints mechanism and regular inspection by Criminal Justice Inspection Northern Ireland.