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Erwin James
"If the government is serious about 'rebalancing' the criminal justice system it should look at what is going on in Northern Ireland. I'm suspicious of the government's call for the criminal justice system to be "rebalanced in favour of the victim". If it is serious then why has it made no mention of the success it has been having with the restorative justice programme it supports in Northern Ireland? Over there restorative justice is an integral part of the juvenile justice system. By statute all offenders aged 10 to 17 have to be referred to the Youth Justice Agency to be considered for participation in a "youth conference". Here young people who offend are brought face to face with their victims. "
