Joint Advocacy Letter: Inclusion of Restorative Justice in the Victims & Prisoners Bill

Cllr Natasha Ennin, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, LBS Cc Althea Loderick, CEO of Southwark Council Neil Coyle, MP Caroline Thwaites, Assistant Director for Community Safety & Partnerships, LBS Cllr, Nick Johnson, Surrey Docs Ward Cllr Cryan Stephanie, Rotherhithe Ward Cllr Ennin: 4th Feb 2024 Open letter: Invitation to a restorative justice dialogue Thank you for meeting the RJ4All International Institute on 25th January to discuss our programme of building in Southwark the world’s first restorative justice postcode. This open letter aims to provide you with some feedback on our meeting, which I found extremely discouraging and to some extent disrespectful of the hard work that RJ4All and our local community is putting in addressing the root causes that lead to community tensions and poverty in the borough. I have learned when I see conflict to expose it and try to address it by looking at the harm caused, and not the individuals involved. Rest assured that the intention of this letter is neither accusatory nor defensive, and we have our 10-year legacy to evidence our collaborative approach and constructive relationships with local, regional and national governments. We acknowledge the LA’s hard work and investment to address persistent inequalities and make the borough a safe place for all. It is within this spirit that I write, and offer a restorative justice way forward. Read the full letter

Press Release

London, Jan 20, 2024: Today, an amendment to the Victims and Prisoners Bill was tabled to introduce a “victims’ right to restorative justice". Working closely with the office of Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, RJ4All submitted evidence for legislative changes. This is the first of many others that are expected to be published on Monday.

The Victims Bill, the Rwanda Bill and the post office miscarriages of justice: What do they have in common?

Open Letter

The biggest gathering of advocates of restorative justice, transformative justice, and innovative legal practices is just around the corner! Practitioners, researchers, academics and a multitude of esteemed colleagues will live an unforgettable experience at the upcoming Justice Innovation Summit, set against the backdrop of the tropical paradise of Honolulu, Hawaii, from February 16 to 19, 2024. This groundbreaking event promises to be the biggest celebration of restorative justice worldwide and our Founder and Director, Dr. Theo Gavrielides could not miss such an important call! Exploring the Intersections The summit is a convergence of Restorative Justice, Transformative Justice, Therapeutic Jurisprudence, Transitional Justice, Victimology, and Indigenous Peacemaking. By delving into these diverse fields, the conference aims to answer crucial questions about how these practices intersect and contribute to improved access to justice for individuals and communities around the globe. Addressing Key Questions Interconnectedness: How do these justice approaches intersect, and how can they collectively enhance access to justice? Effective Applications: What are the most effective applications of these strategies in schools, corrections, child and family services, domestic violence, violence against women, and building peaceful communities? Collaboration: How can these justice innovations collaboratively work at both institutional and systemic levels to create lasting change? Tentative Schedule of Events Thursday, February 15th, 2024: Restorative Justice in Hawaii Legislative Briefing @ The Hawaii State Capitol (free & open to the public) Friday, February 16th, 2024, 9 am-3 pm: Pre-Conference Training Workshops (additional registration fee) Protecting the Environment with Restorative and other Justice Innovations Huikahi Reentry Planning Circles for Incarcerated People & their Loved Ones School K-12 RJ Practices and Experiences How to Build a Successful Restorative/Social Justice Organization Indigenous People’s Justice Practices Family Group Conferencing for Children and Families Restorative Justice for Addressing Domestic Violence & Violence Against Women Friday, February 16th, 2024: 4 pm: Opening Summit Ceremony , meet & greet with pupu and beverages Saturday, February 17th, 2024: 8 am: Doors Open – Registration packet pickup and continental breakfast 9 am: Welcome & Summit Orientation 10 am: Dorothy Roberts Keynote on Justice Innovations 1 pm: Innovative Impacts Shared from Sessions 3:15 pm: Roundtable Panel Discussion of Innovations 5:30-8 pm: Hawaiian Dinner (additional fee, pre-registration) Sunday, February 18th, 2024: 8 am: Doors Open – Continental Breakfast 9 am: Welcome Daily Orientation Keynote Presentation/Panel 1 pm: Innovative Impacts Shared from Sessions 3:15 pm: Roundtable Panel Discussion of Innovations 5:30-8 pm: HFRJ hosted Dinner for all Summit Participants Monday, February 19th, 2024 (President’s Day Holiday): 9 am: Doors Open – Continental Breakfast 10 am-2 pm: Hawaiian history of justice concepts and initiatives , Indigenous Panel Discussion, and creative cultural expressions. RJ4All's Involvement We are thrilled to announce that RJ4All is actively involved in organising this momentous summit, contributing to the global celebration of the transformative power of restorative justice. Stay tuned during the summit days as RJ4All will be publishing frequent updates on our progress and sharing interesting insights with our followers! Our Founder and Director, Dr. Theo Gavrielides, will be there as a keynote speaker, adding his expertise to this incredible gathering. Save the dates, mark your calendars, and get ready to be part of this historic event. For more information on the summit, visit Justice Innovations Summit . See you in Hawaii!

The RJ4All International Institute is delighted to share the news that we have been selected to receive funding from The Government’s Community Organisations Cost of Living Fund, delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK.

The ‘Community Champion Award’ was designed for the 10th anniversary of RJ4All to recognise the people who have made an outstanding contribution to our community at RJ4All. We want to celebrate the unsung heroes whose volunteering efforts have had a positive impact on their wider community.