Norway’s recidivism rate is 20 per cent after five years, compared to 60–70 per cent in the USA. The entire philosophy behind the concept of ‘punishment’ is different, and this book fully illustrates the reasoning and the practicalities behind constructing a penal system based on the principles of restorative justice. Hanssen – a proponent of positive psychology – co-writes the book with a governor of Halden prison (Høidal) and there are excellent links to be made with the dignity (or sanctity) of human life, as the whole prison system revolves around this concept. There is also plenty of information that could be used as evaluative points around the pros and cons of such a system.

Chris Atkins is a documentary filmmaker who received a five-year sentence for tax fraud, nine months of which he spent in Wandsworth prison. He keeps a diary throughout his time and casts a light on a system which most people will never experience, and yet have strong opinions on how they should be run. His diary reveals the damaging effect budget cuts have had – Britain not only has one of the highest prison populations in Europe, but also has one of the highest reoffending rates. Many of the programmes for ‘reform’ are unsustainable and seen as patronising by the prisoners and ultimately the social/racial background of prisoners has an unwarranted impact on the overall experience of those behind bars. Snippets from this book could be used in classes to give an insight into the British prison system and used as part of a debate: to what extent should criminals ‘suffer’ for committing a crime, and what needs to change to reduce our reoffending rate?

Social activist Angela Davis gives an informative and thought-provoking view of prisons in this short book. She gives a concise history of prisons in the USA and clearly shows how the corporate takeover of many institutions has led to a massive increase in incarceration (20 per cent of the world’s prisoners are currently imprisoned in the USA). Davis isn’t simply looking to reform prisons but urges the reader to consider the benefits of abolishing them altogether – much in the same way that many people have come to view the death penalty. She urges that there are better, restorative practices that break the cycle of harm in which many Americans are currently trapped. 

Dr Adshead introduces a variety of troubled offenders who have committed some of the most heinous crimes imaginable. The cases are frequently similar, in that those she meets with are overwhelmingly sad, rather than the ‘evil monsters' they may be seen as by the outside world. Only 10–20 per cent of those who are mentally ill in prison receive therapy and it is vital that this percentage increases if restorative justice is to be a viable option. Through her case studies, Dr Adshead shows that many people are able to successfully reform and come to understand how their actions have caused harm to their victims and those who are closest to them. However, other cases she outlines clearly demonstrate that without the appropriate treatment, some offenders become increasingly disconnected from society and the effect their actions have on others and thus restorative justice becomes almost impossible to achieve.

A look at a restorative justice conference designed to facilitate a conversation between victim and offender, offering a community-based solution to dealing with the aftermath of crime.