Restorative Justice
IPRT advocates for consistency in national availability, use and operation of restorative justice options nationwide.
Restorative justice focuses on the harm when a crime has been committed, rather than looking at what laws or rules have been broken. Participation is on a voluntary basis.
In restorative justice, victims are given a chance to ask questions and to make the offender aware of the effect of their actions. The chance to receive an apology for the victim and gain forgiveness for the offender can have beneficial effects on both parties.
Restorative justice practices offer a more re-integrative approach to how we treat offenders, and community involvement can help to deal with the root causes of the criminal behaviour and reduce recidivism.
Restorative justice for children is provided for by statute for children by way of the Children Act 2001.
Restorative justice practices for adults in Ireland are provided by organisations such as Restorative Justice in the Community and Restorative Justice Services. For more about the practice and services, please visit their websites.
RJS4C: Restorative justice referrals in 2023 remain below pre-pandemic levels
14th June 2024
Restorative Justice: Strategies for Change (RJS4C) has published a new analysis exploring the use of restorative justice in Ireland in the 2023 calendar year. This analysis marks the fifth year in which RJS4C has conducted a mapping exercise of the use of restorative justice in Ireland, focusing on cases being referred within the context of the criminal justice process.
RJS4C: Restorative Justice in Ireland in 2020
19th July 2022
Restorative Justice: Strategies for Change (RJS4C) has published a new analysis exploring the use of restorative justice in Ireland in the 2020 calendar year.
Criminal Justice Sectoral Strategy 2022 – 2024
7th March 2022
The purpose of this first ever Criminal Justice Sectoral Strategy is to develop a shared vision for a more joined-up criminal justice system.
Launch of Restorative Justice: Strategies for Change website
29th January 2021
The new Restorative Justice: Strategies for Change website contains case studies, information from a mapping exercise, resources, and will feature all relevant news on restorative practices in Ireland
High rates of reoffending following imprisonment for less serious crime demands alternative response – IPRT
5th August 2020
MEDIA ADVISORY: New figures published by the Central Statistics Office find that 55.2% of people released from prison in 2014 reoffended within 3 years. Nearly 80% of those aged under 21 when they were committed to prison reoffended within three years of being released, and 75% of people imprisoned for public order offences reoffended within three years. Reoffending rates remain too high and this demands alternative.responses
‘Our Shared Future’ – Draft Programme for Government 2020+
15th June 2020
IPRT strongly welcomes many of the proposals in the draft Programme for Government. In particular, we welcome that the document reflects all of the five recommendations IPRT campaigned on in advance of the 2020 General Election.
Restorative Justice: Strategies for Change
14th June 2019
This new cross-European venture aims to help embed restorative justice and restorative practices within the Irish criminal justice system. Read for information on how to join the Stakeholder Group.
2016 Report on the Garda Diversion Programme
20th February 2018
The Department of Justice and Equality has published the 'Annual Report of the Committee Appointed to Monitor the Effectiveness of the Diversion Programme 2016'
2015 Report on the Garda Diversion Programme
25th January 2017
The Department of Justice and Equality has published the 'The Annual Report of the Committee Appointed to Monitor the Effectiveness of the Diversion Programme 2015'.
Facing Forward
14th December 2016
Established in 2005, Facing Forward supports the introduction of restorative approaches to Ireland based on best practice that has emerged in other countries.
