New impulses for restorative justice in the penal system: First steps in the international working group at the EUROPEAN FORUM FOR RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
- Daniela Hirt
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
At a time when questions surrounding deprivation of liberty and resocialization are receiving increasing social attention, it is more important than ever to further consider Restorative Justice (RJ) in the context of the penal system. This is precisely the goal of the new working group of the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) , in which I have recently become involved with a focus on "Restorative Justice and Deprivation of Liberty." This group brings together experts from across Europe who share one thing in common: the conviction that even within a system of deprivation of liberty there can be room for humanity, encounters, and development if we understand Restorative Justice (RJ) not just as a method, but as an attitude. Already at the second meeting of the group, it became clear: We want to do more than just analyze existing models. We want to open up a new space for thinking and acting in which deprivation of liberty is not seen as the "final destination," but as a phase in which development, reflection, and change are possible.
The group's focus is not only on traditional prisons. Transitional facilities, psychiatric forensics, and programs with electronic monitoring are also part of our scope. Because deprivation of liberty is a reality of life that extends far beyond prison bars. Our goal is to understand this life situation as part of a process, a process that begins within and continues without. RJ aims to build a connecting bridge in this process: between perpetrators and victims, between the inner and outer worlds, between the past and the future.
A particular focus I bring to the group is the perspective of those affected by crime. In several prisons, I have moderated RJ circle dialogues based on my concept "Survivor-Oriented Work in the Prison System (BoAS)," in which victims of crime, members of society who are neither responsible for the crime nor affected by it, have been able to engage in dialogue with inmates. These encounters are not simple conversations; they are profound processes of listening, understanding, and sometimes even forgiveness. They demonstrate that justice consists not only in punishment, but also in connection, recognition, and responsibility.
The voice of those affected is central to this: Their perspective often helps inmates understand the full extent of their actions for the first time and see themselves in a new light. It is this transformative power that makes RJ so special.
In the working group we are dealing with the following questions, among others:
What defines a “restorative” institution: culturally, structurally, interpersonally?
How can those affected be seriously involved and protected in penal enforcement processes?
What role does the social environment, especially family and children, play in resocialization?
How do we deal with violence, radicalization or power imbalances in closed institutions?
And how can RJ contribute to long-term social and moral rehabilitation?
The working group sees itself as a platform for exchange, research, and practical development. We don't just want to talk; we want to define concrete steps that we can implement by the end of 2026 with an impact on practice, education, and society. The participation of a wide range of stakeholders (justice, social affairs, academia, politics, victim support) is essential for this.
For me, participating in this working group is a matter close to my heart. I am convinced that every encounter, even in prison, contains the potential for change. The circle dialogues have shown me time and again that it's not about "forgiveness" in the traditional sense, but about restoring dignity and relationships.
I look forward to continuing to work with committed colleagues from across Europe to contribute to a fairer, more humane penal system and, in doing so, to making the voices heard that are all too often ignored: those of those affected.
For further understanding, here are my summaries from the training course in February 2025 in Leuven on the above topic:
Commentaires