Over 24,000 Persons Sensitized about Restorative Justice since 2014

Over 24,000 persons have been sensitized about the Restorative Justice process since phase three of the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP III) commenced in 2014.

The impact of the peace-building tool was revealed by CSJP III Communications/Social Marketing Specialist, Patrice Tomlinson-Nephew, during the 10^th Restorative Justice Conference in Kingston on February 8.

“Our work in communities over the past 18 years has revealed that there is still a great need for individuals to amicably resolve their conflicts. Restorative Justice is pivotal as it provides individuals and communities with the opportunity to actualize healing, reconciliation, forgiveness, and closure, and it serves to restore relationships,” she noted in her presentation.

According to Mrs. Tomlinson-Nephew, Restorative Justice reinforces CSJP’s belief that “swift and sure” justice is integral for peace-building in volatile communities.

“We believe that many societal ills can be prevented if we target our people in a meaningful way, by equipping them with the requisite ‘soft skills’ that will enable them to stay out of trouble,” she explained.

Mrs Tomlinson-Nephew expressed the hope that the impact of the process will increase in the future.

“The CSJP is pleased with the momentum that the Restorative Justice process is gaining and it is our hope that more Jamaicans will buy into it, as together we seek to make Jamaica a safer place,” she added.