Restorative practice in the criminal justice system: Examining a restorative reasoning programme in a women’s prison

Rees, Ella; Hobson, Jonathan

Abstract

This paper is an analysis of a six-week Restorative Reasoning Programme that took place with 13 women in a UK women’s prison. It is an exploratory evaluation based on an adapted version of the QUALIPREV scheme. This two-stage evaluation examines both the processes of the programme, in terms of how well it ran, as well as the outcomes of the programme, in terms of how effective it was in supporting the women to address problem behaviours. Data comprise interviews with the two programme designers and facilitators and with two Prison staff responsible for activities and training; the programme materials used during the scheme; session evaluation forms; and post-programme self-completion reflections from the women engaged in the programme. Overall, the scheme had a range of positive impacts for the women: many expressed a change in attitude, including being more open for discourse and discussion around the harm they may have caused, being more willing to consider the repair needed in their personal relationships, and in some cases seeking subsequent referrals for further restorative work.

Citation

Rees, E., & Hobson, J. (2021). Restorative practice in the criminal justice system: Examining a restorative reasoning programme in a women’s prison. Laws, 10(4), 95. https://doi.org/10.3390/laws10040095

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Dec 10, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Dec 15, 2021
• Publication Date: Dec 15, 2021
• Deposit Date: Oct 12, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 14, 2022
• Journal: Laws
• Electronic ISSN: 2075-471X
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 10
• Issue: 4
• Article Number: 10040095
• Pages: 95
• Series Title: Advancing Restorative Justice in Criminal Justice Settings and Beyond
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/laws10040095
• Keywords: restorative justice; restorative practice; prison; women in prison; recidivism
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10036802
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-471X/10/4/95
• Related Public URLs: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/laws/special_issues/Restorative_Criminal