Challenging Power Dynamics in Restorative Justice (CPD workshop)
Oct
7
2:00 pm14:00

Challenging Power Dynamics in Restorative Justice (CPD workshop)

A 2 hour CPD training event for practitioners exploring how power dynamics are present in restorative justice processes and ways to understand and address these dynamics.

We will learn about power and power imbalances, explore how power operates in restorative work, examine the challenges this presents, and think about practical ways to navigate and address power dynamics in restorative justice processes. 

The workshop will cover:

  • How to identify the (sometimes hidden) roots of conflict

  • What is power? How does power operate in restorative justice?

  • Types of power and power imbalances

  • Challenges which are associated with different types of power imbalances, such as marginalized identity and victim/offender role

  • Levels of analysis and intervention which can be used to navigate power dynamics in restorative work

  • How to design Restorative Systems to make agreements and policies for addressing conflicts

  • Addressing power during the preparation stage of restorative processes

  • The role of the facilitator in addressing power during dialogue facilitation

  • Characteristics of effective agreements in restorative processes

The event will be facilitated by Dr Mikhail Lyubansky (University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign), an experienced teaching Associate Professor of Psychology with expertise in restorative justice, ethnic conflict, psychotherapy, and positive psychology. Much of his work has focused on developing structures for restorative conflict engagement through consultation, trainings/workshops, and the facilitation of high-stakes conflicts.

This event has been CPD approved by the Restorative Justice Council. Attendees who participate in the full 2.5 hours of the workshop will receive a certificate for 2.5 CPD hours.

Registration is now open!

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Creating 'a place to go to': using art and design in restorative justice (CPD workshop)
Nov
26
10:00 am10:00

Creating 'a place to go to': using art and design in restorative justice (CPD workshop)

This practical 2.5 hour CPD workshop will provide an exploratory space in which practitioners can learn and practice a variety of creative exercises to be integrated into their own restorative practice.

Practitioners will be invited to participate in and learn creative exercises with the intention that these can later be introduced into restorative processes with clients. The creative exercises will be interspersed with brief visual presentations which will contain the theory and research behind using art and design based approaches within restorative practice. In particular, participants will learn how creative approaches have the potential to enhance dialogues as well as healing.

You don’t need to have any prior experience or knowledge of art and design or of using art materials in order to take part - just enthusiasm and curiosity! 

The workshop will be facilitated by Dr Clair Aldington, a freelance researcher, practitioner and co-founder and Director-Practitioner of Space2face restorative practices and arts charity in Shetland, Scotland. Clair has over 20 years of experience in working in the field of restorative practices, with a focus on using art and design in restorative processes. She has pioneered the use of art and design as an intrinsic part of restorative processes and has authored several academic articles and book chapters on her practice and research.

This event has been CPD approved by the Restorative Justice Council. Attendees who participate in the full 2.5 hours of the workshop will receive a certificate for 2.5 CPD hours.

Registration is now open!

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To, not, for or with?: how a restorative approach might inform safeguarding practice (CPD workshop)
Dec
10
10:00 am10:00

To, not, for or with?: how a restorative approach might inform safeguarding practice (CPD workshop)

This practical 2.5 hour workshop shares best practice in a restorative approach to the handling of a safeguarding disclosure.

When a child or adult discloses a safeguarding concern, a golden opportunity can easily be missed if the response is insensitive. We will co-design the best approach to handling safeguarding disclosures, drawing on restorative tools and practice using real life scenarios. We will consider how best to speak about confidentiality and reflect on culturally sensitive practice in a safeguarding context. The format of the workshop will be very interactive and involve circle discussions, breakout room group work, and opportunities for skills practice.

The workshop will be facilitated by Colette Morgan and Pete Wallis, both highly experienced restorative practitioners and trainers in both child and adult contexts, with specialties in youth justice. Colette has also been one of the trainers for Oxfordshire Children Safeguarding Board for several years.

This event has been CPD approved by the Restorative Justice Council. Attendees who participate in the full 2.5 hours of the workshop will receive a certificate for 2.5 CPD hours.

Registration will be opening soon!

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Relationships, Community, and the Restorative School: Lessons from Singapore
Sept
16
12:00 pm12:00

Relationships, Community, and the Restorative School: Lessons from Singapore

“What makes a restorative school culture sustainable?”
“How do we build 'we' over 'me'?”
“What does it take to grow voice, empathy, and belonging in classrooms?”

We invite you to step into a ‘Builder’s School’ with us as Justin Mui and Tyler Sim (Lutheran Community Care Services) share highlights from their book Relationships, Community, and the Restorative School: Lessons from Singapore.

Justin and Tyler will share stories from ‘The Builder’s Project’, a whole-school approach that builds community, fosters student agency, and strengthens relational ecosystems. It examines the roles of teachers, parents, and school leaders in co-creating inclusive environments where students thrive—not just academically, but socially and emotionally.

They will guide us todiscover how restorative practices nurture student growth through strong relationships with peers, teachers, and families.

The event will be hosted by Dr Kerry Clamp, the series editor of Contemporary Issues in Restorative Practice.

Event registration is now open!

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Police and community listening circles
Jul
16
12:00 pm12:00

Police and community listening circles

Sargeant Sandra Smith and Samantha Alexander (Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Hertfordshire Women of Colour in Policing Movement) will share their success in running listening circles with police and marginalised groups, specifically women and girls from minority groups who have been affected by male violence against women and girls.

Sandra and Samantha will discuss how to use circles to foster dialogue and create better relationships between marginalised groups and the police, including the steps they took to ensure that the circles worked well and were a safe space for the people involved to talk about their lived experiences. They will also share what they have learned through the process and the impact the circles have had on relationships, police policy and culture, and the women involved.

Please note: this event will not be recorded due to the sensitivity of the work being discussed.

Event registration now open!

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Relational and Restorative Organisations (Online Conference)
Jun
18
10:00 am10:00

Relational and Restorative Organisations (Online Conference)

Join us at this one day online conference as we explore what it means to be a relational and restorative organisation and practical ways to embed restorative approaches in our culture and ways of working. We will think about what this means for us as individuals and how we can influence our organisations to be more relational.

The format will be varied and interactive, including presentations, breakout room discussions, conversations with experts, and opportunities to reflect on and share learning.

This conference has CPD Approval from the Restorative Justice Council.

Conference registration now open! Early Bird ticket deadline has been extended to the 4th of June!

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Becoming a Trauma-informed Restorative Educator
May
7
12:00 pm12:00

Becoming a Trauma-informed Restorative Educator

Margaret Thorsborne and Joe Brummer will discuss how individual educators can bring trauma informed restorative practice into their day-to-day work.

Margaret and Joe will share theory and research from their book Becoming a Trauma-informed Restorative Educator: Practical Skills to Change Culture and Behaviour, including insights from neuroscience and theories about shame.

Event registration is now open!

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Trauma-Informed Restorative Dialogues: The Power of Community
Apr
2
12:00 pm12:00

Trauma-Informed Restorative Dialogues: The Power of Community

Claudia Christen-Schneider will be speaking on her book Trauma-Informed Restorative Dialogues: The Power of Community which discusses the integration of trauma-informed practice with restorative justice. The event will be hosted by Dr Kerry Clamp, the editor of the book series Contemporary Issues In Restorative Practice.

Event registration now open!

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Building Bridges: interactive knowledge sharing event on embedding restorative practice
Mar
26
12:00 pm12:00

Building Bridges: interactive knowledge sharing event on embedding restorative practice

Join us to discuss the topics covered in our Reflection Aids for Restorative Leaders as we share with each other what we have learned so far about embedding restorative practice and think about what’s next. The knowledge sharing event will be interactive and give you an opportunity to not only engage with the themes in the reflection aids but also build bridges with others by sharing your thoughts, experiences, and learning, and listen to others.

This is a free event but booking is essential!

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Restorative justice and unconscious biases (CPD workshop)
Feb
25
10:00 am10:00

Restorative justice and unconscious biases (CPD workshop)

A 2-hour CPD training event designed to help practitioners consider the underlying heuristic biases which may impact restorative work.

The event will be hosted by Dr Kathryn Rowsell, a registered and chartered Forensic Psychologist and a Trustee of The Mint House. Joining Dr Rowsell will be Richard Barker, a Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and Psychology Lead for Medium secure services in Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Event registration now open!

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Listening circles for deep listening
Jan
21
12:00 pm12:00

Listening circles for deep listening

Listening circles provide an opportunity for us to stop and listen in a culture which can be fast-paced and self-centred. Circles can take different formats, but listening circles are powerful in their invitation to listen deeply to the thoughts and experiences of others and connect us to shared understanding and knowing. Join us as we explore the use of listening circles with examples from women's circles and nature circles.

Mel Wiggins MBE will share her experience of running women’s circles. She was first trained in circle facilitation as a restorative justice practitioner and decided to bring her skills and this approach to her coaching and community building work supporting women. Mel runs day-long events where women gather to participate in circle, intentionally making space for listening to one another. Mel will share the ethos behind her work and what she has learned from holding space for people to be heard and known.

Helen Edwards is new to circles and restorative practice, and has recently organised circles on a local nature reserve as part of her work as Chair of Oxford Urban Wildlife Group. Helen will share what drew her to circles and how circles can facilitate interconnectedness with nature and each other. 

Event registration now open!

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Relational Schools
Dec
10
12:00 pm12:00

Relational Schools

How can Local Authorities and others encourage the use of relational and restorative practice in their schools? How has this successfully been done in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Portsmouth? What theory and research underpin this work? What are the benefits of this approach?

We will share how relational practice in schools has evolved over time and been successfully implemented in schools in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, and Portsmouth through the development of the Relational and Restorative School Leadership Programme, supported by The Restorative Lab.

Bec Mason (Portsmouth City Council), Clare Pike (Oxfordshire County Council), Laura East (Oxfordshire County Council), and Molly Macleod (Gloucestershire County Council) will share stories and examples of how relational and restorative practices have been used in schools in their areas.  

Dr Anna Gregory (The Restorative Lab) will present the ethos and framework behind this exciting programme including the evolution of theory and practice informed by research. 

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Environmental Restorative Justice: in theory and practice
Oct
23
12:00 pm12:00

Environmental Restorative Justice: in theory and practice

What needs and challenges are involved in adapting restorative justice in environmental cases? How has restorative justice been used in cases involving environmental harm?

We are excited to welcome Professor Ivo Aertsen and Lawrence Kershen KC for a dialogue between theory and practice in environmental restorative justice. Ivo Aertsen will introduce the topic for us, including how restorative justice can be adapted in cases of environmental harm and some of the needs and challenges involved. Lawrence Kershen will share his experiences as a facilitator and lawyer to reflect on how environmental restorative justice happens in practice. 

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"All of Us" Film Screening and Q&A
Jul
27
7:00 pm19:00

"All of Us" Film Screening and Q&A

“All of Us” follows a family fractured and torn apart by violence and incarceration. As one family member comes to the end of their prison sentence, each of them explores how to move on and heal.

The film screening of the play will be followed by a live Q&A with Rebecca Abrams (playwright), Miranda Warner (producer and actor), and others.

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Embedding restorative practice: learning from the experience of Scotland?
May
9
12:30 pm12:30

Embedding restorative practice: learning from the experience of Scotland?

The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2018-19 included a commitment to having ‘RJ services widely available across Scotland ... with the interests of victims at their heart.’  The vision wishes RJ to be made available to all who wish to access it at a time appropriate to the people and case involved.  But this will necessarily be a long journey.

We’re delighted that Professor Joanna Shapland and Ashley Scotland have agreed to lead a session outlining Scotland’s journey so far and how this may relate to the experience of some other countries.

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Forced Migration and Moral Repair
Feb
1
1:00 pm13:00

Forced Migration and Moral Repair

Dr Steve Kirkwood has recently completed a Research Fellowship funded by the Leverhulme Trust examining the potential for restorative justice in relation to people who have experienced forced migration.

We’re delighted that Stave has agreed to share finding from this work with us at The Mint House network event from 1-2pm on Thursday 1 February.

Originally from Wellington, Aotearoa / New Zealand, Steve worked as a Research Officer for the Community Justice charity, Sacro, from 2005-2009, before completing a PhD at the University of Edinburgh on the integration of asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland.

Steve is now Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy within Edinburgh University’s School of Social and Political Science. His research aims to enhance understanding of issues of identity and citizenship in relation to justice and injustice, and (ultimately) to improve society’s response to those who have caused, or been harmed, by crime or injustice.

Steve has also been part of a research team investigating approaches to mitigating risk in restorative justice, findings from which can be found here.

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Jun
29
7:30 pm19:30

Romeo and Juliet: Charity Dress Rehearsal Performance

Wild Goose Theatre have kindly allowed us to sell tickets to their dress rehearsal of "Romeo and Juliet" and for the proceeds to go to The Mint House. Come along to enjoy this iconic Shakespeare play and support The Mint House!

Please note this performance is being held at New Road Baptist Church.

Tickets are £5 and available on the door or on Eventbrite:

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May
17
9:30 am09:30

Communicating Restorative Justice and Practice 2023 (One Day Online Conference)

How can we talk to other people about restorative justice and practice in ways which connect with them?

How can we be most effective in encouraging people to take part in restorative work and making it accessible for them?

Sessions and speakers at this online conference will include:

  • Solutions-focused journalism and working with the media (Jodie Jackson - News Literacy Lab, Myra Anubi - BBC, Nina Champion - Criminal Justice Alliance)

  • How to amplify the voices of people with lived experience of restorative justice and share their stories (Sussex Pathways and Sussex Police)

  • Communicating restorative justice to people who harm (Esther Wanjie-Nyeko – Belong)

  • Communicating restorative justice to people who have been harmed by crime (Mike Bailey – Victim Support)

  • Communicating restorative justice to gatekeepers (Dr Nikki D’Souza – Northumbria University)

  • Communicating restorative justice across cultures, faiths, and languages (Sula Blankenburg – Why me?)

  • Explaining restorative justice to young people (Leah Robinson – Why me?)

  • Adapting restorative practice for language and communication needs (Paul Cornall – Stockport Inclusion Service)

  • Communicating restorative justice at a national level (Jim Simon – RJC)

  • Refocusing the narrative: aligning with respect (Monica Morris and Rachel Quine - Understanding People (UP) Project)

  • Networking breakout rooms

  • Resources sharing session

The sessions will vary in format, including presentations, circle conversations, and storytelling sessions (with some sessions running in parallel). All sessions will involve an element of discussion, and we are hoping to learn a lot from the invited speakers as well as each other in this participatory conference.

The conference will be of interest to anyone who is involved in talking about restorative practice with others, whether you are a restorative practitioner, involved in running a restorative practice organisation, working within education or criminal justice, or a communications professional.

Parts of the conference sessions will be recorded, but recordings will only be made available to those who have booked a place at the conference.

With your booking for the 2023 Conference, you will also receive access to all of the recordings from our 2022 Conference!

The conference has received CPD Approval from the RJC and CPD certificates will be available after the event. Please note that we will only be able to award CPD hours to those who attend the full day.

Tickets are £45 (full price) or £40 (early bird price, if booked more than a month before the event) and can be booked on Eventbrite.

(A very limited number of discounted tickets for students are available upon request. Please email joy@minthouseoxford.co.uk for details.)

Myra Anubi is a seasoned storyteller and solutions journalist who currently hosts the BBC World Service solutions programme "People Fixing The World." This podcast explores creative ideas that people have found to tackle some of the most pressing challenges we face today.

Mike Bailey is a Restorative Justice Area Coordinator at Victim Support

Sula Blankenburg is a Restorative Justice Development Officer at Why me?

Nina Champion is the Director of the Criminal Justice Alliance. The CJA is committed to changing the narrative around criminal justice and promoting more sensitive, constructive and solution-focused journalism to drive systemic change.

Paul Cornall is the Restorative Approaches Lead for Stockport Inclusion Service. He has worked in education for over 10 years, including as a senior leader implementing and using restorative practices to support children with significant SEN and SEMH needs.

Nikki D’Souza is an Assistant Professor in Policing Organisation and Practice at Northumbria University. After many years in the probation service and on staff in Durham Constabulary in a range of roles, Nikki completed a PhD on the feasibility of using restorative justice in the context of serious and organised crime. She now teaches on the policing programmes at Northumbria University for qualifying police officers.

Jodie Jackson is the founder of the News Literacy Lab and an author on the transformative power of changing our media diet. She has spent a decade researching solutions journalism as an antidote to the negativity bias in the news and delivers solutions journalism workshops and training to journalists, educators, parents and students worldwide.

Monica Morris was first introduced to restorative justice over 15 years ago and has worked in a variety of settings since then. As a black woman, Monica embraces restorative practices as the necessary healing part of her practice, which she combines with a revolutionary zeal in the hope to make our world a better one where all lives really matter. Monica works with The UP (Understanding People) Project to extend the reach of RA to those who do not currently benefit from it.

Ryan will be sharing his lived experience of restorative justice and perspective as someone who has caused harm, joined by staff from Sussex Pathways and Sussex Police.  Rosanna Summers is the Restorative Justice Manager for Sussex Pathways which are based in HMP Lewes. Rosanna has worked with Sussex Pathways since 2015, working in RJ since 2021. Toni Dean is the Restorative Services Delivery Manager for Sussex Police. Toni has worked for Sussex Police for 16 years and has worked in the area of Restorative Justice since 2019.

Leah Robinson is a Restorative Justice Development Officer (Youth Justice) at Why me?

Jim Simon is the Chief Executive Officer of the Restorative Justice Council. He joined the RJC as chief executive in April 2019, having been an RJC assessor since 2014 and currently chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Restorative Justice advisory board. He is an experienced practitioner and trainer within restorative practices and has led the strategic development and implementation of these services within educational and youth settings.

Esther Wanjie-Nyeko is the CEO of Belong: Making Justice Happen. Esther is a senior Restorative Justice practitioner with two decades of experience working with people who have offended and/or been a victim of crime, and over a decade of senior management experience. Before setting up Belong with a cofounder in 2010, Esther gained an understanding of issues in criminal justice globally by working in a number of African prisons.

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Apr
20
10:00 am10:00

Restorative justice and unconscious biases (CPD event)

restorative justice and unconscious biases 2-hour CPD event The Mint House

A 2-hour CPD training event designed to help practitioners consider the underlying heuristic biases which may impact restorative work.

This event has RJC CPD Approval (Reference RJCMH200423).

To err is human… We are delighted to offer a 2-hour CPD workshop exploring unconscious heuristic biases which have potential to impact restorative processes. In this reflective and interactive space, we will explore how these unconscious processes influence our decision-making processes and what we can do to mitigate their impacts.

We will:

  • Help practitioners understand why heuristic biases exist.

  • Share how heuristic biases influence our decision-making processes.

  • Consider together how heuristic biases may impact on restorative processes, including safety and non-discriminatory practice.

  • Explore ways to mitigate the impact of heuristic biases on restorative work.

 

The event will be hosted by Dr Kathryn Rowsell, a registered and chartered Forensic Psychologist and a Trustee of The Mint House. Joining Dr Rowsell will be Richard Barker, a Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and Psychology Lead for Medium secure services in Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust.

Please note, due to the workshop-style delivery of this training, it will not be recorded, so you will need to attend live on the day of the event.

Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite. Ticket prices are variable (please pay as you are able):

£25 (e.g. employed professional/government/academic/large organisation)

£10 (e.g. employed by a small charity)

Free (e.g. student/volunteer/don’t have the resources to pay for a ticket)

Dr Kathryn Rowsell is a registered and chartered Forensic Psychologist and a Trustee of The Mint House. Prior to retraining as a Forensic Psychologist, Kathryn worked in youth justice and charitable settings for nineteen years supporting both young people who had caused harm to others and individuals and group affected by crime. Kathryn is currently employed at Oxford Health Foundation Trust working in medium secure forensic settings. She is working alongside colleagues locally and nationally to promote an encourage the use of restorative approaches in healthcare. As an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham, Kathryn has previously published research exploring the impact of heuristic processing in juror credibility judgements of emotional child witnesses. She is currently undertaking and supervising research exploring the use of restorative approaches on forensic wards. 

Richard Barker is a Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and Psychology Lead for Medium secure services in Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. He has worked in forensic services for over twenty years, including working in different levels of security and in the community. He has also provided independent reports to the Parole Board, in family cases and to all levels of the justice system.  He is also a British Psychological Society National Assessor for Consultant Psychologist post in the NHS. Richard has had a longstanding interest in Recovery-orientated approaches to rehabilitation in forensic services and contributed to published academic works, book chapters and policy papers on how these approaches can be embedded in Forensic settings. More recently he has been the lead on embedding Trauma-informed approaches into Forensic services in Oxford Health. As an Honorary Lecturer at the University of Birmingham he is also supporting research into topics such as vicarious trauma and biasing processes in risk assessment and risk formulation.

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Mar
16
12:00 pm12:00

Restorative policing: where next?

restorative policing: where next?

What practical next steps can be taken to move towards greater use and embedding of restorative approaches within the police force in the UK? In light of recent high profile cases of police misconduct, how can the police force respond restoratively?

Join us as we explore the use of restorative approaches to improve external police relations (e.g. between police and the community) and internal police relations (e.g. grievances, team dynamics).

Dr Kerry Clamp will bring insights from research and academia and Paul Mukasa will share ideas based on his extensive practitioner experience, including work on a project to improve relations between the police and young people.

We will end the event with an opportunity for questions and discussion.

This online event will be held on Zoom. You can register on Eventbrite, with variable ticket prices available. Please pay as you are able so that we have the resources to continue to hold these types of events:

£10 (e.g. employed professional/government/academic/large organisation)

£5 (e.g. employed by a small charity)

Free (e.g. student/volunteer/don’t have the resources to pay for a ticket)

dr kerry clamp university of nottingham

Dr Kerry Clamp is an Associate Professor in Criminology at the University of Nottingham, UK. Her research focuses on the application of restorative justice within transitional settings, policing and the community. She has always had a strong interest in practice and a desire to reduce the boundaries between academia, practice and policymaking. She was Editor of the Newsletter for the European Forum for Restorative Justice and Chair of the Editorial Committee (2011-2018) and Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Restorative Justice Council (2018-2021). She currently sits on the International Advisory Board for The International Journal of Restorative Justice. Her latest monograph Restorative Policing in Practice: A Potential Cultural Revolution is due to be published in 2024 by Routledge and will draw on lessons learned from empirical research conducted over the last 5 years on frontline practice.

paul mukasa

Paul Mukasa has been a practitioner for thirteen years, and managed volunteer practitioners from 2016 till 2022. He now mentors new and experienced practitioners and continues to facilitate and supervise a caseload. He facilitates a wide range of cases involving neighbourhood and workplace disputes, burglary, accidental death, harmful sexual behaviour, and murder. He started his restorative career working in Gloucester Prison facilitating restorative interventions with the offenders and their victims. He has co-developed and run restorative forums which bring young people together with Police to examine perceptions, behaviours and look at ways of doing things differently to achieve improved relationships, which won the Howard League Restorative Approaches Award in 2016.

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Jan
25
12:00 pm12:00

Restorative justice in prisons: where next?

There have been many attempts to incorporate restorative justice into prison settings in the UK, with some success in privately run prisons and by restorative justice charities and service providers running programmes within HM Prisons. However, the use of restorative justice in HM Prisons is not widespread and has had mixed or limited success.

Join us as we explore the question 'What next steps in terms of policy and practice are required in order to embed/mainstream restorative justice into HM Prisons?'.

We will be exploring this topic in a ‘fishbowl conversation’ format where an ‘inner circle’ of conversationalists will discuss the topic, observed by attendees in an ‘outer circle’. Attendees are encouraged to join the inner circle to discuss the topic if they feel they have something to contribute. We hope it will be an engaging and organic conversation to explore ways forward.

Starting off the discussion as the inner circle of conversationalists will be:

  • Geoff Emerson (former Senior Probation Officer and current Mint House Trustee)

  • Jim Simon (CEO at RJC)

  • Sam Warman (Head of Programmes at Belong)

  • Shirl Tanner (CEO at Sussex Pathways)

This online event will be held on Zoom. You can register on Eventbrite, with variable ticket prices available. Please pay as you are able so that we have the resources to continue to hold these types of events:

  • £10 (e.g. employed professional/government/academic/large organisation)

  • £5 (e.g. employed by a small charity)

  • Free (e.g. student/volunteer/don’t have the resources to pay for a ticket)

Geoff Emerson worked in the Probation Service for 40 years, retiring in 2013. He held the position of Senior Probation Officer in two prisons, Aylesbury YOI (1988 – 91) and HMP Bullingdon (1997 – 2001). During this time he was involved in managing the Thames Valley Probation trial as part of a government funded random control trial to test the effectiveness of RJ and mainstreaming RJ as part of community sentences in Thames Valley Courts. Since retirement, Geoff has been involved in a range of RJ practice and training initiatives with Thames Valley Partnership and HMP Bullingdon. These projects have included leading the UK element of two EU funded initiatives to develop victim-initiated RJ and undertaking work to train staff and prisoners at HMP Bullingdon. Geoff is also currently a Trustee of The Mint House.

Jim Simon is the Chief Executive Officer of the Restorative Justice Council.  He joined the RJC as chief executive in April 2019, having been an RJC assessor since 2014 and currently chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Restorative Justice advisory board. He is an experienced practitioner and trainer within restorative practices and has led the strategic development and implementation of these services within educational and youth settings. His academic studies have focused on education and his Master’s degree research specifically focused on equality and diversity and the impact of restorative practices on providing a fair and equitable service to those involved within the process.

Sam Warman is the Head of Programmes at Belong, a charity that provides restorative, mentoring and therapeutic interventions for those in the criminal justice system both in prison and the community. Until recently, he ran Belong's Restorative Justice service at HMP Coldingley for 5 years. At the event, Sam will also be representing the views of peer-facilitator ‘RJ Reps’ who work with Belong to support the use of restorative justice within prisons.

Shirl Tanner is the Chief Executive Officer for Sussex Pathways, a criminal justice charity working in HMP Lewes and across Sussex, and the Strategic Lead for Sussex Pathways with the Sussex Restorative Justice Partnership. She has been with Sussex Pathways for 13 years and has been practicing restorative justice for 8 years. Shirl is an RJ trained trainer and has accredited training with the RJC.

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Dec
6
5:00 pm17:00

Empathy and restorative justice

This event will explore the role of empathy in restorative justice processes. How can developing and experiencing empathy affect how people engage in restorative work? Can empathy help people on both sides of a conflict understand the experiences and needs of the other? What difference does it make?

 We will explore these questions by listening to the perspectives of three panel members with a variety of expertise in restorative justice. Wesley Grinham has lived experience of restorative justice and the criminal justice system, Kimia Saadatian studies issues surrounding punishment and empathy, and Pete Wallis is a senior practitioner and trainer in restorative justice.

Attendees will be encouraged to ask questions and engage in discussion with the panel members as we think about this topic together.

This event will be held online via Zoom. Tickets can be booked on Eventbrite. Ticket prices are variable – please pay as you are able so that we have the resources to continue to hold these types of events:

£10 (e.g. employed professional/government/academic/large organisation)

£5 (e.g. employed by a small charity)

Free (e.g. student/volunteer/don’t have the resources to pay for a ticket)

wesley grinham

Wesley Grinham is is a senior mentor and groupwork facilitator for vulnerable young people. He has lived experience of the criminal justice system and restorative justice and has worked as a restorative justice facilitator to resolve conflicts within prison communities.

kimia sadaatian

Kimia Saadatian is a doctoral student in the Department of Psychology at Stanford University. Trained as an interdisciplinary social psychologist, Kimia studies issues surrounding punishment, prejudice, and empathy. Her research develops evidence-based tools to reduce punitive attitudes in education, policing, and re-entry following incarceration.

Pete Wallis is an experienced trainer and senior restorative justice practitioner with Oxfordshire Youth Justice and Exploitation Service. He has written or co-authored several books on restorative justice, including Understanding Restorative Justice, which explores the role of empathy in restorative processes.

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