Drawing together research, policy and practice for restorative justice.

Source: (2011) London: Independent Academic Research Studies.

The key aim of the IARS project is to initiate an international debate that will assist the
development of improved practices, better informed policy and more grounded research on
restorative justice. The project will lead to a publication and the production of evidence
based policy recommendations at a time when governments, the EU and international
bodies such as the UN are seeking for effective, low cost, non-traditional crime reduction
options that also serve the victim and the sense of justice and fairness in society.
Another aim of the IARS project is to bring together key names in the field of restorative
justice who are working on research, practice and policy but have not been able to
communicate with each other before. Finally, the project explores any gaps in the area of
accreditation and standards of restorative justice. Pulling together the excellent work that
has been done by a number of organisations will allow the movement to reflect on what has
been done and, in consultation, decide what remains to be achieved.
This paper reports on the findings of the first year of the project as well as the key
recommendations from the November seminar which was organised in partnership with the
International Centre for Comparative Criminological Research (ICCCR) at Open University.
Over 40 experts in the restorative justice field attended the seminar. The Home Office,
Youth Justice Board, Victim Support, Ministry of Justice, Prison Reform Trust, Probation and
several universities were among the organisations represented.(excerpt)