LONDON, December 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

The Restorative Justice Action Plan for the Criminal Justice System, announced by Jeremy Wright MP, marks the rapid expansion of restorative approaches to help reduce reoffending. In addition, tabled amendments to the Crime and Courts Bill would see powers to defer sentencing until after a restorative justice process has been undertaken.

All this requires a step change in professional and service management and greater emphasis on making services available to all victims.

To further understanding of what this action plan means, Justice Minister Jeremy Wright will be speaking at this year's Restorative Justice Approaches conference in London, 23 January 2013, produced by Neil Stewart Associates.

The minister will also be joined by other restorative justice experts including:

Graham Robb
Chair Restorative Justice Council and Co-chair,
Ministry of Justice Restorative Justice Steering Group

Javed Khan
Chief Exec, Victim Support

Bill Kerslake
Development Manager, Youth Justice Board for England and Wales

Lizzie Nelson
Director, Restorative Justice Council

Richard Monkhouse
Deputy Chair, Magistrates' Association

Dr Helen Flanagan
SHARES Lancashire Ltd

Belinda Hopkins and Caroline Newton
Transforming Conflict

Gaby Thomas
Head Teacher, One One Five Pupil Referral Unit

View current speaker line-up at

http://www.neilstewartassociates.com/li309/speakers.php?utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=li309

The key themes for discussion at the conference are to:

• Elaborate on the Government's plans and approaches

• Help organisations prepare and realign their services

• Hear how probation services are using this approach

• Examine how restorative approaches are being used in youth justice

• Look at integrating restorative approaches within neighbourhood policing

• Hear how this approach fits in with local government community safety  policies

• Map out the creation of effective restorative justice services across England and Wales

• Gain insight from successful pilots and case studies

• Look at how to raise awareness and understanding of restorative justice approaches among professional and voluntary organisations and partners

• Understand how to present restorative approaches to the public, anticipating local media and public responses and building confidence

• Connect with national resources and centres of excellence and advice

• Understand how victims can be connected to a restorative justice  practitioner in the their local area via online and other referral mechanisms

• Ensure practice meets professional and legal guidelines

View the agenda here at

http://www.neilstewartassociates.com/li309/agenda.php?utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=li309

Notes to editors:

1 - Event title, Restorative Justice Approaches Conference - intelligent solutions to reduce reoffending

Date - 23rd January 2013

Venue - IBIS London Earls Court

Review all speakers and the agenda for this event at http://www.neilstewartassociates.com/li309?utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=li309

2 - Restorative Justice Council members save £70 by booking by 07/01/2013

3 - Journalists can attend this event free of charge.  Email steve.cassidy@neilstewartassociates.co.uk.

4 - This conference is produced by Neil Stewart Associates. They have been successfully producing public policy conferences and events since 1994, working with public bodies, membership associations, think tanks, campaign groups, voluntary organisations and the commercial sector. Learn more at

http://www.neilstewartassociates.com/?utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=li309

SOURCE Neil Stewart Associates