Birr offenders to engage with their crime victims

A community reparation scheme (CRS) modelled on an initiative established in Nenagh 13 years ago is being rolled out in Birr. The scheme, which works in partnership with the Probation Service, Gardaí and community groups, seeks to engage offenders, the victims of crime and communities while also tackling problem behaviours and reducing the levels of re-offending among its participants. According to project co-ordinator Emily Sheary about 75% of the criminals the scheme has dealt with have not re-offended. The scheme was introduced to Birr in early May, and volunteers are currently being sought for the initiative. Through CRS offenders engage with the victims of their crime along with communities. Through this engagement offenders can make amends for the harm their crime caused and become reintegrated into their community. By also addressing behaviours that led to the crime being committed the programme also reduce levels of re-offending. According to Ms Sheary the process is also beneficial for victims of crime. "The process affords a victim the opportunity to highlight the hurt and injury the offender's behaviour has caused and to obtain an apology, assurances, explanations and, where appropriate, reparation," she said. "Studies have revealed that 89% of the victims who participated in a restorative justice intervention received an apology and that victims who went through the restorative process were much more likely to feel that the apology received was sincere. There is also strong evidence that victims participating in restorative justice conferences were more likely to feel satisfied with the outcome and likely to be less fearful of being re-victimised." The initiative also allows offenders understand and accept responsibility for their actions and how they have affected others, as well as address the factors that led to such behaviour. "By being directly confronted with the impact of the offence, being exposed to the victim's perspective and by addressing problematic behaviour the chances of re-offending are lowered," she said. "Furthermore, the direct contact between an offender and a victim makes it difficult for an offender to ignore the consequences of their actions and obliges them to be accountable for those consequences and can be a very powerful and challenging experience." Reparation panel meetings are attended by project volunteers as well as a local garda liaison. Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week Sergeant John Mahon of Birr Garda Station said the initiative is being welcomed by Gardaí locally, who are "actively engaging" with it.