In Charente, France Victimes is looking for candidates to participate in restorative justice meetings

For the author, measure the consequences

In this context, the France Victimes 16 association and the Prison Integration and Probation Service are looking for victims of all kinds of offenses to participate in these times of restorative justice exchanges. “We had a first experience before covid. A meeting with four convicts and four victims of domestic violence,” recalls Isabelle Decosterd, director of France Victimes 16. “The feedback was positive. » Covid has been there but for several months, three lawyers from the association have been training at ENAP: the national prison administration establishment in Agen. As well as seven integration and probation counselors from SPIP (the prison integration and probation service) in Angoulême.

The restorative justice protocol is very structured. First, convicts and victims must participate in three individual interviews with the pair formed by a prison advisor and a lawyer from France Victimes. Then come the group meetings. Between three and five convicts on one side. Three and five victims of the other. Around it, the mediator pair and people from civil society.

Five exchange times take place one week apart. The interest for a convicted person “is to measure the consequences of their actions beyond the material aspect,” says Isabelle Decosterd. “Create awareness of what the other has experienced,” adds his legal colleague Laurine Garnaud. For a convicted person, participating in these meetings cannot result in a reduced sentence. “There is no reward for good behavior,” notes Michel Flauder, deputy director of the Angoulême SPIP. For the victim, it is an opportunity to rebuild themselves, “to make themselves heard. Sometimes, at trial, it’s complicated,” says Isabelle Decosterd. “The idea is to learn to live with and understand what the other has to answer our questions. And tell yourself that sometimes there are no rational explanations. » Until February, France Victimes and SPIP will collect applications. The idea is then to meet people and organize meetings before the end of the summer.” “We don’t want to keep people waiting,” concludes Isabelle Decosterd. To participate, you must call France Victimes 16 on 05 45 92 89 40.