Minister for Justice Michael McDowell has introduced enabling provisions in law which allow for the electronic tagging of offenders.
He told a conference at the weekend that legislation for the electronic monitoring of offenders who are on temporary release or subject to new restriction on movement orders was signed into law. However, he said he had no immediate plans to introduce tagging as more preparatory work was required.
It is one of a number of measures provided for in the Criminal Justice Act (2006), which includes a number of alternatives to custodial sentences. One of these options is a "restriction on movement order", which may be used for some public order and assault offences.
Mr McDowell was speaking at a conference organised by Restorative Justice Services, a voluntary organisation funded by the Probation Service and the Department of Justice.
Restorative justice is a relatively new concept in law which seeks to give the victim a voice and the offender a chance to undo the harm caused by crime. It also gives a sentencing judge more options.
In general, it works by encouraging victims and offenders to participate in a mediation process, leading in most cases to an agreed contract which can include personal commitments and reparation by the offender.
Mr McDowell said he believed the concept offered "considerable potential" for further use in the criminal justice system. He said, however, it was important to learn more and review all aspects of the effectiveness of restorative justice before allocating it further significant resources.
"I see merit in exploring how we might make greater use of the concept of restorative justice. I welcome the recent initiative by the director of the Probation Service in putting a proposal to me about how we might review restorative justice developments, nationally and internationally. I am examining how best we can learn more and review what has been happening and I expect to be in a position to announce my proposals in a matter of weeks," Mr McDowell said.
While the concept offered offenders the chance to turn over a new leaf, he said community safety demanded that serious offences be dealt with through the courts. These sentences should reflect the circumstance of the offence.
The director of Restorative Justices Services, Peter Keeley, said it appeared that restorative justice was increasingly becoming an option available to judges. However, much work remained to ensure it impacted positively on victims of crime and offenders.
"We need to ensure that it receives a fair wind, that it is resourced appropriately, that effective and relevant programmes are developed, that these programmes have the confidence of the judiciary, the legislators and the public at large."
Mr Keeley said it was most important that programmes were accessible to victims and offenders and communities who wished to avail of them.
