A prisoner became tearful when he met one of his burglary victims face-to-face in Lewes prison, as he heard for the first time the emotional impact his crime had on the victim.
The restorative justice conference – where an offender faces their victim – was set up by two trained restorative justice facilitators, a Victim Support volunteer and a Probation Officer, as part of the Sussex Restorative Justice Partnership.
The burglar broke into the victim’s family home in Worthing and stole some precious items four years ago and is currently serving a 4 year sentence.
Crime victims across Sussex can opt to take part in restorative justice. It gives them the chance to ask the offender/s questions and to tell them how that crime has affected them. It also holds offenders to account for what they have done, gets them to take responsibility and to give them the chance to make amends.
The victim, who wishes to remain anonymous, said she was apprehensive about meeting the man who burgled her home, but agreed afterwards that it was a positive experience:-
“I felt better in myself afterwards, because I had the chance to tell the offender how the burglary had made me feel. Four years after the burglary, this will help me to finally put the horrible events behind me.
“I feel that the offender is remorseful for his actions. Also, I feel I’ve had a part in the offender’s rehabilitation. I hope that he thinks twice before burgling another innocent person’s home.”
The offender, said: “I volunteered to take part in the conference, but I felt anxious about meeting someone whose home I’d broken into. But I wanted to go through with it in order to start making changes to my life.
“I felt tearful during the conference as I heard for the first time how upset she’d been after the break-in. I hope she has accepted my apology. I feel like I can be proud for doing ‘something right’.
Restorative Justice Conferences are facilitated by trained staff from the statutory and voluntary sector organisations.
If you have been a victim of a crime and want to find out more about Restorative Justice to see if this process is right for you, please go to the Sussex Criminal Justice Board (SCJB) website where you will find all the information including information leaflets.
