An evaluation of the impact of restorative cautioning: findings from a reconviction study

Source: (2004) Findings 255. London, U.K.: Research, Development and Statistics Directorate, Home Office. Downloaded 25 January 2005.

As the authors of this paper point out, restorative cautioning, in contrast to traditional cautions, aims to encourage the offender to take responsibility for repairing the harm caused by his or her offense. Restorative cautioning consists of a meeting facilitated by a trained police officer. The meeting follows a structured dialogue with the offender about the offense and its implications. The offender participates actively in the dialogue, as does the victim, if present at the meeting. Using findings from a reconviction study, the authors evaluate restorative cautioning. After summarizing and discussing key findings from the study, they conclude that they cannot establish definitively whether restorative cautioning made an impact on re-sanctioning rates or on types and frequency of re-offending.