Legislation to introduce a restorative justice programme as an alternative to jail sentences has been recommended by a report from the Oireachtas Committee on Justice, to be published later today, writes Liam Reid, Political Reporter.
The report finds the system has already worked well on a pilot basis and is highly successful at reducing reoffending rates among those who take part in it. The programme provides for alternative remedies such as making amends to victims of crime, and therapy for offenders.
According to the report, restorative justice is most suitable for first- time offenders who commit less serious crimes.
However, it warns that a State-wide system can only be effective if it is has the full co-operation of the courts service and is fully embraced by judges.
The report was written by Fine Gael justice spokesman Jim O'Keeffe, and adopted unanimously by the cross-party Oireachtas justice committee before Christmas.
Speaking in advance of the report's publication, Mr O'Keeffe said he believed there was a "particular role" for restorative justice programmes. The restorative justice model was already in place under the childcare Acts for young offenders and he believed a system for adults would be effective at reducing the rate of recidivism .
He said he did not believe it was an appropriate alternative to jail terms for serious offences.
There are two restorative justice programmes operating at present in Nenagh in the district court of Judge Michael Reilly and in Tallaght in the district court of Judge James Paul McDonnell.
The programme is overseen and funded by the Probation and Welfare Service. Offenders are offered a programme of reparation and mediation towards victims, combined with a therapeutic element aimed at enabling the offender to examine their own behaviour, as an alternative to a custodial sentence.