Restorative Justice programmes have won enormous support over the years. Robert Verkaik, Law Editor of The Independent asks then, why isn't restorative justice being put to greater use?

When first mooted 10 years ago, it was an idea that broke with the conventional thinking on how to tackle crime. Under the restorative-justice scheme, victims of crime would be given the chance to meet the offender so both could benefit from the experience. The victim would use the meeting to help get over the trauma, while the offender would use it as opportunity to break the cycle of offending.

Since the introduction of a formalised restorative-justice programme in the youth courts, hundreds of people have spoken about why these voluntary meetings have helped them come to terms with the experience of being a victim of crime. Many talk about how important it has been to tell the offender of the impact the crime has had on them and their family. Others just want an apology or a sense that the offender understands the damage he or she has done.

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