Schemes get government backing

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/7536040.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Restorative justice schemes in nationalist areas of Belfast and Londonderry have been given official accreditation by the government.

This means they can now apply for funding.

Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins said the 10 schemes have attained the standards required on how they should operate.

One of those standards is that schemes must "engage, and have a direct relationship, with police".

Mr Goggins said he now had "no cause for concern in the way that Community Restorative Justice (Ireland) schemes now operate".

"I am aware that historically there have been some concerns about the development of restorative justice schemes in both nationalist and loyalist communities," he said.

Accredited schemes CRJI Central Office, BelfastCRJI Colin, BelfastCRJI Falls, BelfastCRJI Greater Andersonstown, BelfastCRJI Upper Springfield, BelfastCRJI Head Office, DerryCRJI Ballymagroarty, DerryCRJI Brandywell, DerryCRJI Creggan, DerryCRJI Shantallow, Derry

"That is why we spent some considerable time developing a rigorous protocol to establish working relationships with statutory agencies."

The justice minister said community-based restorative justice schemes helped resolve low-level crime in local commuties.

"In particular we have underlined the pivotal role for the police and provided stringent safeguards to protect the rights of both victims and offenders," he said.