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Abstract
Restorative justice (RJ) is an intervention gaining worldwide recognition in criminal justice systems and other settings. There is a growing evidence base demonstrating positive outcomes in a number of domains, but we found no previous research focussed upon the use of RJ in a forensic mental health setting. This study used a constructivist grounded theory analysis of semi-structured interviews to explore and develop a deeper understanding of RJ practices interventions in such a setting. Ten participants including RJ facilitators, patients and mental health staff took part in research interviews. Restorative interventions were found to be congruent with models of mental health and offender recovery. Processing emotions, developing thinking and coherent narrative, and immediacy are found to be key components of the intervention. The emergent model highlights the role of containment and a high level of facilitator skill when working with a complex, vulnerable and potentially unstable client group.
Acknowledgements
Firstly, we would like to say thank you to the patients and practitioners who volunteered to take part in this study. Many people have supported this study and we would like to mention those who supported with transcribing and coding, those at Salomons who offered advice and expertise, Henry Kiernan for his support and enthusiasm, and those friends and family members who offered their patience and moral support. We are also grateful to two independent reviewers for their thoughtful and detailed comments.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
Notes
This research was undertaken as a component of a doctorate in clinical psychology at Canterbury Christ Church University in collaboration with Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.