With Restorative Justice Week fast approaching, tonight was the perfect time to reflect on the incredible work undertaken around the UK by an array of individuals and charity groups advocating for a more restorative approach to crime and the rehabilitation and reintegration of those who have offended.
The Longford Trust is a UK charity that supports people with convictions to rebuild their lives through education scholarships, mentoring, and employment opportunities. Its flagship Longford Scholarships help serving and former prisoners study at university, pairing each scholar with a trained mentor. Jacob Dunne is one of 500 former Longford Scholars who has become widely known for his work in Restorative Justice and criminal justice reform. You can read more about the work we are undertaking with Jacob, The Common Ground Justice Project, MP Paul Kohler and Why Me? in our recent blog.
Prison policy, social reform and criminal justice
The Longford Lecture series has been running annually since 2002, organised by The Longford Trust, and focuses on issues of prison policy, social reform and criminal justice. The event aims to foster national debate, offer recommendations to policymakers, and encourage public discussion about prison reform.
Former speakers at the event include Shami Chakrabarti, prominent lawyer and human rights advocate, who hosted an after-show panel when the play PUNCH was on stage at the Young Vic, and renowned actor Michael Palin, who will be hosting November’s panel at the Apollo theatre, both of which I did, and will take part in next week.
I had the pleasure of attending this year’s Longford Lecture. The keynote speaker, Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner for England, gave an outstanding and thought provoking speech on “Guilty until proven innocent: Every child’s right to freedom, fairness, and opportunity”, whilst the 2025 Longford Prize winners, Liberty, showcased their incredible work bringing together people in prison and community choir volunteers in weekly singing sessions, with the aim of “using music and choir as a vehicle for rehabilitation, self-confidence building, and social reintegration”, in short, “unlocking hearts through song.” Fittingly, their excellent video, which brought the audience huge smiles and the welling of tears in equal measure, was produced and directed by a former Longford scholar.
Power of restorative approaches
To truly emphasise the power of restorative approaches, the Longford Trust gave thanks to previous winners, including: The Forgiveness Project, the UK charity who collect and share real-life stories of victims and perpetrators of harm. Their aim is to explore forgiveness, transformation, and the possibility of change. May we also take this opportunity thank The Forgiveness Project for inviting us to join the aforementioned panels at PUNCH. We firmly believe in their ethos that “stories have the power to transform” and are grateful for the opportunity to raise awareness of Restorative Justice to such a wide audience. Also mentioned was Barbara Tudor, one of the early pioneers of Restorative Justice, bringing us full circle back to what we know, do and are passionate about in our everyday work here at Calm RJ Service. To the many who strive for better outcomes for all who are affected by crime – victims and survivors, offenders, families and communities – we thank you and long may our work continue.
