In the last year, 35% of the restorative justice cases we facilitated at Resolve West involved young offenders. This shows how integral RJ is in supporting young people to engage with accountability and change their behaviour.
When young people get into trouble with the law, it affects more than just them, it impacts victims, families, and communities too. Supporting young people to understand their actions and turn things around can reduce repeat offences and build stronger neighbourhoods.
Restorative justice (RJ) plays a crucial role in this process. Unlike traditional punishment-focused approaches, RJ centres on repairing harm, understanding impact, and fostering personal growth.
How Restorative Justice Works with Young People
When young people commit offences, ranging from minor theft to anti-social behaviour, police and youth offending teams increasingly use restorative justice as part of the response.
Restorative Justice (RJ) offers young offenders a safe and supported way to communicate with those harmed by their actions. This can happen indirectly through letters, audio or video messages, or shuttle communication or through face-to-face meetings that may include victims, family members, and sometimes community representatives.
Participation is entirely voluntary for all involved. The goal is to help the young person understand the impact of their actions and take meaningful steps to repair the harm caused.
Benefits for Young Offenders
- Taking Responsibility: RJ encourages young people to acknowledge the harm caused rather than simply avoiding blame or punishment.
- Personal Growth: Hearing the real impact of their actions helps build empathy and understanding.
- Reduced Reoffending: Research by the Ministry of Justice shows that people who participate in restorative justice programmes are 14% less likely to reoffend (1) than those who go through traditional court processes.
- Better Relationships: RJ can rebuild trust between young offenders, victims, and communities, helping young people stay connected to positive support networks.
Positive Impact for Victims and Communities
Victims often feel more involved and respected in RJ processes, gaining a sense of closure that courts can’t always provide. Communities benefit when youth offending is addressed constructively, reducing fear and promoting safety.
The Financial Impact of Restorative Justice
Restorative justice isn’t just effective—it’s also a smart investment.
Research from the UK Ministry of Justice found that for every £1 spent on restorative justice, there is a £14 saving (2) through reduced reoffending and lower criminal justice costs.
This means RJ not only helps young people change but also saves money for communities and public services.
How Resolve West Supports Youth Restorative Justice
At Resolve West, we work closely with local youth offending teams and partner agencies to deliver restorative justice services that support young people in the South West. Our trained practitioners facilitate meetings that help young offenders take real steps toward change while supporting victims and communities.
If you want to learn more about restorative justice for young people or are involved in a youth offending case, get in touch with us.
Sources:
1. MoJ Evaluation of Restorative Justice, Restorative Justice Council, 2008.
2. Economic Evaluation of Restorative Justice, Why Me?, 2022