‘It is successful, and if it is successful, it reduces crime, and it can make the victims happier’: volunteers’ perceptions of working in restorative justice

‘It is successful, and if it is successful, it reduces crime, and it can make the victims happier’: volunteers’ perceptions of working in restorative justice Rosie Kitson-Boyce, Palwinder Athwal-Kooner The Journal of Forensic Practice, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print, pp.- The purpose of this study is to explore the experiences of those volunteering within a restorative justice service thus enabling an insight into their perceptions of the different methods used, their beliefs about restorative justice effectiveness, and its place within the criminal justice system. The study also sought to identify any challenges and positive experiences the participants encountered during their role as volunteers, with volunteering during the COVID-19 pandemic explored specifically.Data was collected from the participants (n = 5) via semi-structured interviews and analysed using thematic analysis, thus enabling patterns within the experience of the volunteers to be identified.A prior understanding and interest in restorative justice was evident within the data, with participants demonstrating a preference for direct, face-to-face mediation. The perceived lack of support from external agencies was discussed along with the role of education in their volunteering experience. Finally, it was acknowledged that although face-to-face practice was deemed the most effective overall, certain practices adopted during COVID-19 enabled aspects of the role to be carried out more efficiently...
Source: Journal of Forensic Practice - Category: Forensic Medicine Authors: Source Type: research