Northern Ireland Criminal Justice Minister Paul Goggins, MP, has announced a funding package of £600,000 over the next three years for accredited Community Based Restorative Justice (CBRJ) schemes. The funding will be jointly provided, on an equal basis, by the Criminal Justice Agencies and The Atlantic Philanthropies. That’s despite criticisms of the CJI report on those currently unaccredited schemes.
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Not sure what point you’re trying to make , Pete. What is the connection (“despite criticisms”) between unaccredited schemes and money going to accredited schemes?
Joe
The NIO is determined to press ahead with accrediting those other schemes, despite criticisms of the CJI report.
Talk about a wad of cash.
When Martin O’Brien was bringing “concerns about the abuse of human rights in Northern Ireland to international audiences” I assume that didn’t include highlighting the Sinn Fein PIRA gangs involved in murder, torture and ethnic cleansing. It therefore brings into question the whole Atlantic Philanthropies organisation
I’ve read the SDLP submission to the The Assembly
on CRJI Pete and found it full of inference, assumption and accusation but largely devoid of evidence.
Is this the criticisim that you speak of Pete?
““The NIO has been given a mountain of evidence as to why the Criminal Justice Inspector’s report is flawed on many issues, including complaints. To accredit and fund Restorative Justice Ireland flies in the face of this evidence.”
I think that Attwood was once a solicitor, if his submission is the “mountain of evidence” that he speaks about then I’m not surprised that he isn’t practising anymore.
I guess (referred to by some as futuring) this will also be viewed by the DUP as another, not so gentle reminder, from the Englezes to get on with the transfer of Police and Justice.
In fact this type of issue can help Robbo as he can suggest that Stormont would have blocked it if they were (part) running Police and Justice.
“Talk about a wad of cash”
….well, no it isnt a huge amount. Its about £200k / year. Now lets assume each scheme employs the equivalent of one full time coordiantor at say £25k / year grossed up cost – that’s 8 staff across the whole province. In practice too a lot of the money will go on premises, training, etc.
This is a tiny level of funding and it probably more symbolic than practical.
I hope those involved in CRJS are not only vetted by PSNI but are monitored closely to see that they abide by the guidelines set down by NI Office and any failure is clearly identified and brought to the attention of the public.
Welcome to the real world and ACCOUNTABILITY.
So is this the trade-off for the “peoples guns”?
Why should public funds be given to loyalist and republican ‘justice’ systems?
AFAIK CRJ programs elsewhere on these two islands are part of the state apparatus; they’re most unlikely to be operated by mafia-style gangsters.
Nevin,
“Why should public funds be given to loyalist and republican ‘justice’ systems”
By any stretch of imagination Non Iron is not like “elsewhere on these two islands” – in order to make it so – support for Police and Justice should be maximised – from the Nationalsit side of the fence the sooner these matters are transferred to local hands the sooner this will come about.
Sammy, I think the DUP/SF coalition would endorse the paramilitary justice systems that have been ‘agreed’ with London and Dublin. There appear to be a number of paramilitary godfathers/’community leaders’ who are untouchable and I imagine that they will be left in ‘control’ of local communities on either side of the fence.