Reparation In The Community
by Martina Tally
Alex came to the attention of the police for minor motoring offences which took place in his community. He admitted guilt and agreed to participate in a Youth Conference. Alex attended the conference along with his parents, the Youth Diversion Officer and the manager of a resource facility in Alex’s community. A community representative also attended to discuss the potential harm caused by Alex’s behaviour. These participants engaged in constructive discussion about Alex’s behaviour and suggestions were made regarding how he could make up for what had happened. A conference plan was subsequently agreed.
One of the actions in Alex’s conference plan was that he should complete 20 hours reparation in his locality. The local community centre was identified as somewhere that could benefit from his help. Subsequently Alex, with help of a peer mentor from NIACRO, completed a mural for the crèche in this facility. This project required a significant amount of planning, designing and indeed a great eye for detail!
At the formal presentation of the mural, the Chairperson and the manager of the community centre congratulated Alex for the hard work and commitment that he gave to this project. They informed him of the benefits not only for the children but for the community. Alex was obviously very proud of his achievement and the positive reinforcement of his efforts is something that will remain with him for a long time.
- Youth Conferencing as Shame Management
- A Young Persons Expereince of a Youth Conference
- YJA Rap
- We're not Brazil, We're Northern Ireland
- A Day in the Life of a Youth Conference Co-ordinator
- Case Study: A Restorative Justice System for Young Offenders in Northern Ireland
- A Youth Conference Case Study
- My Experience of Youth Conferencing by a 15 year old male
- Reparation in the Community
