Reparation Order

This form of punishment is very popular in Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii and is becoming more widely used in England and Wales but is less common here.

Where it has been agreed by the victims of crime, the courts can make a Reparation Order which entails the offender making direct reparation for the offence committed.

This could mean an offender having to repair or pay for the repair of a window he/she damaged. It could also involve the offender meeting the victim face to face – depending on the wishes of the victim. Some victims prefer not to meet the offender. However, in some cases facing the victims of crime can be a powerful experience for the offender and can allow the victim to express the hurt they have suffered. Additionally, this realisation is often the first time the offender has been faced with their wrongdoing, can be life changing and can help to reduce the risk of their re-offending.

Departmental member Mr Tim Crookall and Director of Operations Pat Ingram have recently attended a conference on Restorative Justice in Verona, Italy.