project management • training • consulting
restorative justice
Since 2016, I have been gaining experience in leading and successfully implementing restorative justice projects in the form of moderated group dialogues in correctional facilities. I am constantly developing my work as a restorative justice practitioner and trainer with experts from practice and academia and through further training.
My concept of "Affected Persons' Work in the Prison System (BoAS)" is a restorative justice concept for victim-related prison design. The concept is based on internationally recognized restorative justice approaches, which research has shown also to have a positive effect on the legal performance of prisoners. It represents a framework that supplements traditional criminal law with the perspective of those affected by crimes. Through its professional and cost-effective implementation in the prison system, the concept can close a gap in the legal implementation of victim-oriented prison design. Restorative justice projects create a space for a limited period of time in which victims and perpetrators who were not involved in the same crime can meet in a protected and professionally supported manner in order to work through the crimes and their consequences.
These moderated group dialogues have already been successfully implemented in correctional facilities in Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia. In the concrete implementation in a correctional facility, prisoners are given the opportunity to deal with the consequences of crimes for those affected by crimes. This can lead to a lasting change in their future thinking and actions and increase the factors for successful resocialization. For those affected by a crime, the chance of coping with the crime and returning to everyday life is increased by their participation in the measure; healing and reparation are experienced. In addition to this individual level, there is a social level that is intended to promote reintegration into the community or society: those affected by a crime experience a special form of rehabilitation and the prisoners are supported in their resocialization as (future) members of a safe society. Supplemented by the participation of interested people from society who have not suffered or committed crimes, another (social) perspective emerges. Through their participation, they enable those affected and prisoners to gain a broader perspective on their future actions and experiences.
If you are interested in my work, I invite you to download my BoAS short concept here. For further information or bookings as a speaker on the topic of Restorative Justice, please contact me at boas@daniela-hirt.de
Practical experience has shown that it is necessary to employ an external, experienced restorative justice project manager when implementing the project. Together, a careful clarification of the task is carried out in order to meet the individual needs of the correctional facility for the implementation of the restorative justice project.
If you would like to carry out a restorative justice project in your correctional facility, I can support you with my professional expertise. This way, the project can be planned successfully and managed in a way that conserves resources. The project goals can be achieved in a high quality, on time and within budget.
The building blocks of my supporting activities for the implementation of a restorative justice project in the form of a moderated group dialogue in the penal system are:
Concept Development and Updating
Public Relations
Support
in acquisition and suitability assessment
of potential participants
Preparation
all preliminary and follow-up discussions and all group meetings
in cooperation with the specialist services
Moderation
all pre- and post-interviews and/or all group sessions
in cooperation with the specialist services
Advice
• the management for the institutional integration of the project
• the professionals of the correctional facility
• the specialists of the cooperation institutions
Coordination
• and integration of regional networks of victim support institutions
• and involvement of scientists
• the project advisory board
Reporting
Project Planning
On this basis, a restorative justice project can be successfully implemented in your correctional facility.