Two Restorative Justice Centres to Open Next Year

The Ministry of Justice will open two additional restorative justice centres next year, to serve the West Kingston and Mountain View communities.

Restorative Justice (RJ) is a process whereby all the parties with a stake in a particular offence come together to collectively resolve the aftermath of the offence and its implications for the future. The emphasis is on repairing harm caused by conflict or crime.

Speaking at a JIS Think Tank on February 3, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Justice, Carol Palmer, said the Ministry is intent on implementing restorative practices islandwide.

“Restorative Justice will be implemented…not only where there are negative issues, but also… in areas to prevent the expansion of negative behaviour. We will be moving into communities where the level of violence is probably not as unacceptable as in the communities we are working in today,” the Permanent Secretary said.

The community is the focus of Restorative Justice Week, which is being observed from February 1 to 7, under the theme: ‘Restorative Justice for Community Empowerment.’

“Throughout our activities, we are stressing community empowerment not only in the geographic communities as is customary, but in the social sphere as well,” said Acting Director of the Ministry’s Restorative Justice Unit, Roydon Hall.

The week began with a thanksgiving service in Clarendon at the Church of God in Jamaica. Activities continued yesterday (February 3) with the opening of a Library Exhibition at the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Library. The exhibition, which is open to the public, will close on February 7.

Mr. Hall said that the exhibition is being used to roll out restorative practices in school spaces, so that children can understand that they can live in a more secure environment.

The unit will host additional activities outside of RJ Week, including the engagement of 50 students in a therapeutic session on February 11 at Boone Hall Oasis, and the official launch of the Montego Bay Restorative Justice Centre on February 17, at Overton Plaza in St. James.

On February 27, the unit will stage its 6th Restorative Justice Conference at the Knutsford Court Hotel. Restorative Justice Practitioner, Ted Wachtel, who is the President and Founder of the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP), will be the main facilitator.

Restorative Justice Week officially began with the Governor-General’s Proclamation on February 3, 2007.