Report: Restorative justice could save state €8m a year

UP to 7,000 criminal cases could be diverted from the courts to restorative justice programmes each year, saving the State up to €8m in prison costs.

A major report published yesterday, based on two years’ research, found that restorative justice is not only better for victims and offenders, but is 30 times less expensive than incarcerating criminals in prison.

Under restorative justice, offenders take responsibility for their actions and make amends to victims, instead of serving a prison sentence.