European Model for Restorative Justice with Children and Young People. Conclusions for Poland

Abstract

The article presents main results of the European Research on Restorative Juvenile Justice organized by International Juvenile Justice Observatory (IJJO) and European Council for Juvenile Justice (ECJJ). In three books resulted of the research, available online, there is information on restorative practices in juveniles cases in 28 European Union Member States, then the European Model for Restorative Justice with Children and Young People that has been elaborated on the basis of best practices. The Toolkit for Professionals contains useful practical indications for implementing different restorative justice programs. Although there is scientific evidence of benefits of restorative processes, no country reaches the full potencial of restorative justice. This is especially true with Poland, in spite of having legislation (however, concerning just one of restorative processes, namely mediation, that should be improved), a group of trained mediators, examples of good practise of certain restorative programs and measures. There is strong need to promote restorative proceedings among practitioners and in the society and undertake research to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of restorative justice.