Restorative Justice With A Prolific Offender

SR was a prolific offender and addicted to heroin when he burgled KM twice (once on 18th September 2023 and again on 26th September 2023) in order to feed his drug habit. SR admitted that, at the time, he was in a win-win situation in that he would either get money or property to sell (which would allow him to buy drugs) or he would get caught and sent to prison (which would give him the opportunity to come off the drugs, which is what he wanted).

We received both parties’ details via West Yorkshire Police’s Corvus download. Initial meetings were held with both parties to offer Restorative Justice (RJ) and explain what options were available. There were discussions about the voluntary nature of RJ, the expectations of both parties and what each needed/wanted from the RJ conference. KM wanted to ask questions and describe the impact of the offence and SR wanted to let KM know that he didn’t target her and that he wouldn’t burgle her again.

Once both parties had agreed to proceed with a face-to-face meeting, the preparation work began When both parties felt that they had discussed everything they needed and some questions had been put to SR to ensure that he was happy to answer these, the RJ conference was arranged. This took place on Wednesday 25th September 2024 at HMP Wealstun, and was attended by the harmed and harmer, the POM and three staff from RJWY. One of the RJWY staff members attended to lead the meeting, one to co-facilitate and take notes for any Outcome Agreement, and one to observe as part of their learning and development. Both parties had agreed in advance that they were happy for them to attend the meeting, as did the POM.

The Lead Practitioner opened the meeting with introductions and the co-facilitator explained the ground rules. SR was then asked to talk about what he did. He provided some background information as to how he got to the place he was at, where he was taking drugs and committing offences to fund his drug habit, as KM had said that she was happy for SR to start where he felt comfortable.

KM asked questions that came naturally as part of the conversation and, as SR was answering these questions comfortably, the RJWY practitioners let the two talk between themselves until it felt like the conversation had come to a natural end. During the conversation, SR answered all of the questions that KM had asked us to prepare him for, plus more as mentioned. KM took the time to get to know a bit more about SR, his background and his family. There was also a discussion about what KM needed from SR to repair the harm caused. KM said that all she really wanted to hear was that SR wouldn’t go near her business again and that he would make positive changes to his life. SR explained to KM that he wanted to do that but that it was a struggle because, upon release, he was also put somewhere in Leeds which wasn’t where he wanted to be.

SR apologised for the harm he’d caused and KM heard and accepted this. The Lead Practitioner asked the POM if there was any way of supporting SR to be placed in Wakefield upon release, which is where SR really wants to be. It takes him away from Leeds and the friends he has there, where he knows the temptation will lie, and he feels confident that he can get work in Wakefield. MK said that they were going to work with the PO so that when SR is released it will hopefully be in Wakefield and KM was really pleased to hear this.

Feedback from KM (the harmed)

KM said that she was really pleased with how things had gone and that she had gotten everything that she wanted and needed from meeting with SR face-to-face. KM would like SR to know this and she also wants to reiterate that she meant what she said in terms of hoping that when released from HMP he can really make the positive changes to his life that he was talking about during the conference.

Feedback from SR (the harmer)

"To be honest, it wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I thought she was going to come in all guns blazing. I was kind of dreading it and stressing about meeting her the closer the date came. I’m glad I did it though, to at least say sorry, give her some sort of peace and not excuse what I did but explain what led up to me robbing not only her, but a load of other people too. I am really sorry she is out of pocket because of my actions and if there was any way I could pay that back I would, and will if given the chance. 

What shocked me the most is how she was a lot like myself (clearly not the drugs or the upbringing). What I mean is how down-to-earth she is and just a normal person working hard to get by and give her family the best she can.

When you’re robbing shops you never think of the person who’s had to put in the graft. This woman who I robbed was sat in front of me being ok with me. I couldn’t understand that and then when she said that all she wants is for me to do well for myself. Not even my own family would have said anything like that. Most of the time they’d be planning to drag me into their bullshit, setting me up for my next prison sentence."