incase anyone is interested...

Very pertinent.

Even more though was last months Panorama episode -

RJ is very much overrated because proponents are so enthusiastic and tend to see everything with rose coloured glasses.

The real sticking point is, it is a value based method of intervention which only works when the victim can identify with the offender and vice versa.

Phrases like "I feel violated" just don't mean a thing to some, who have probably felt violated all their lives.

As a targeted method it is OK but more consideration needs to be given to victim/offender matching, otherwise it's a waste of time and resources.

 

You say that it only works when the victim can identify with the offender & vice versa, but how can someone who probably felt violated all their lives identify with someone who felt violated by their action... wouldn't this be the task of the mediator?

troubled1:

You say that it only works when the victim can identify with the offender & vice versa, but how can someone who probably felt violated all their lives identify with someone who felt violated by their action... wouldn't this be the task of the mediator?

I go back to Virginia Satir and family therapy.  Facilitators trying to make a teenage boy understand the effect of his actions on his parents; look at Outnumbered and Kevin. Lip service is paid but unless the wavelengths are the same the feelings are different. I have seen too many letters of apology, where kids can't even spell sorry never mind understand the meaning. And as for remorse; forget it. (Most of them are dictated so perhaps it's the worker who can't spell)

There is a superficial gloss over RJ, all stemming from Thames Valley Police, legitimised by association with Princess Ann. I am not saying there is no place for it, just that the opportunities are not as plentiful as touted.

 What I see as green you may see as red.

'Disgusting' burglar letter mocks victim

Police in Leeds have released a letter by a 16-year-old burglar who mocks the victim as "dumb" for leaving the windows open. But the force admits the young offender may have had a point.

The Youth Justice board told Channel 4 News that the teenager had probably been asked to write the letter after voluntarily taking part in a restorative justice programme after his sentence.

In the letter, the burglar he said he had been "forced to write" the letter, before listing the "dumb mistakes" the victim had made.

"Firstly you didn't draw your curtains which most people now do before the go to sleep,

"Secondly your dumb you live in Stainburns a high risk burglary area and you're thick enough to leave your downstairs window open," the teenager wrote.

The letter concludes: "But anyways I dont feel sorry for you and Im not going to show any sympathy or remorse. Yours sincerely."

 

What a bloody nonsense.  That letter has made my blood boil !!!!  Never mind the idiots of professionals who allowed the criminal to send it (the poor victim). But the letter was honest I suppose.

I had spoken to a couple of older lads I previously worked with (who became part of the criminal scene as they became older) who told me they were really taking the pxxx out of the workers and the victim, but it (RJ) was the easy way out.  I'm sure they probably thought the same about me too.

I know nothing much about RJ and was very interested to watch Panorama (and read the posts), but even I, thought it was optimistic.

Mary Brady:

What a bloody nonsense.  That letter has made my blood boil !!!!  Never mind the idiots of professionals who allowed the criminal to send it (the poor victim). But the letter was honest I suppose.

I had spoken to a couple of older lads I previously worked with (who became part of the criminal scene as they became older) who told me they were really taking the pxxx out of the workers and the victim, but it (RJ) was the easy way out.  I'm sure they probably thought the same about me too.

I know nothing much about RJ and was very interested to watch Panorama (and read the posts), but even I, thought it was optimistic.

Don't think the letter actually got to the victim.     (Question Time)

Thanks Shirack.  Listen to Question Time on the radio tomorrow so pleased you have corrected my misconception.

Mary Brady:

Thanks Shirack.  Listen to Question Time on the radio tomorrow so pleased you have corrected my misconception.

Question time on the TV last night.

Hee hee - yes I know Question Time on last night. Listen to QT and Any Answers (from the Dimbleby bros) on R4 at 1pm - that's what I was referring to.  Sorry unclear but don't watch it - listen to the repeat.  It's part of my Saturday ritual, alongside reading the Radio Times from cover to cover.

Thanks a lot.