Is Youth Conferencing A Soft Option
Youth conferences are not a soft option for the offender. It is vital that young offenders take responsibility and face up to the impact of their actions and youth conferencing is an appropriate mechanism to achieve this.
- Offenders find the restorative process tough and demanding;
- Offenders cannot hide behind their solicitor and must speak for themselves from start to finish.
- Offenders have to apologise for their crime, often to the victim in person if they wish to attend;
- Offenders are made to face the consequences of their crimes by meeting the victim and hearing how the crime affected them;
- Offenders are made aware, in front of their family, they have committed crimes against individuals or the community rather than an anonymous victim;
Youth conference plans can contain all the elements of current disposals for young offenders, including an option to recommend custody.
Failure to complete a plan can lead to non compliance proceedings.
- What is a Conference?
- What is the necessary criteria for a referral?
- What is in it for the victim?
- What is new about Youth Conferencing?
- Is Youth Conferencing a soft option?
- Why Restorative Justice instead of Retributive Justice?
- Does restorative justice reduce crime?
- How is the Relationship with Stakeholders?
- What are the Satisfaction Rates?
