A county-wide recruitment drive has been launched to find a team of committed volunteers to help run a new restorative justice scheme with prisoners at Gloucester prison.

Volunteers are needed to support the work being carried out at the prison to get offenders to face the consequences of their previous offences and to give victims an opportunity to tell offenders how they felt after the crime.

Gloucester Prison's restorative justice programme is designed to encourage offenders, victims and other people involved or affected by a particular crime to come together to resolve collectively how to deal with the aftermath of the offence and its implications for the future.

There is national evidence to suggest that restorative justice helps to reduce crime and, in many cases, stops offenders from re-offending by helping them to face the consequences of their previous behaviour.  RJ increases victim satisfaction and gives victims a voice, the chance to ask questions and to tell the person who has harmed them, how they have harmed them.

Prisoners who have committed crimes such as theft, robbery and burglary, can join the programme. However sex offenders and men found guilty of committing domestic violence and harassment offences are not included in the scheme at this time.

“This is a highly challenging and rewarding volunteering role which has the potential to offer huge personal development opportunities for the right people,” said Jemma Jewkes, Restorative Justice Co-ordinator at Gloucester Prison.

 “It would be a fantastic opportunity for some considering a career in the criminal justice system or for people who have first-class communication skills who are committed to playing their part in reducing crime in their local communities,” added Jemma.

Twenty volunteers are initially being recruited across the county. As much of the work will involve meeting victims of crime where they live volunteers need to have access to their own transport and be prepared to travel. Out-of-pocket expenses, such as mileage costs, would be reimbursed.

Volunteers will need to be able to commit to volunteer from a couple of hours to 12 hours within a month if the case goes to conference.  Work will involve a minimum of 3 hours during week days and the rest can be done flexibly to include weekends and evenings.  You will need to be able to commit to a minimum of 2 cases per year (approximately 24 hours over a 2 periods of time).

They will also need to be able to get on with people from a range of diverse backgrounds and walks of life, work as part of a team and have an empathetic, non-judgemental approach.

Having the emotional intelligence to read other people's moods and body language is important as is the ability to use tact and diplomacy when handling difficult individuals or groups of people in tense situations. Remaining clam in stressful situations is essential.

Good written communications skills are also required for this role as volunteers will be expected to send emails, write up case notes and keep the restorative justice co-ordinator and other volunteers updated with progress on cases.