Introduction to Restorative Justice Program
A significant step has been taken in establishing a national restorative justice program for victims of the Post Office’s Horizon IT scandal. The program will include children of affected postmasters, as well as those directly affected by the faulty accounting software. This move recognizes that more than financial compensation is required for the victims.
Background of the Scandal
The Horizon computer program, developed by Fujitsu, led to the unlawful prosecution of over 700 postmasters for theft and false accounting. Many more accumulated large debts and lost homes, livelihoods, and reputations as they took out large loans to compensate for the false deficits in their branches.
Aim of Restorative Justice
The aim of restorative justice is to make amends for damages by bringing together victims and those responsible. The program is partly funded by Fujitsu, and the Restorative Justice Council is leading the project. The council has expanded its commitment to include children and families of victims, which is a significant step in establishing a national restorative justice program.
Involvement of Families
The relatives of the victims have been seeking recognition and support for the damage they have suffered for a long time. Some have reported feeling the effects of eating disorders due to the criminal prosecution of a parent, and they have carried decades of trauma with them. There have been calls for a family fund to make up for the opportunities that were taken away from them growing up.
Components of the Program
The program includes online listening sessions for children of those affected and additional events for people who were previously unable to attend. The initiative also involves equipping the government, the Post Office, and Fujitsu with the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct a restorative dialogue with integrity. Group-based sessions with organizations involved in the scandal and a confidential, safe space service are also being created.
Funding of the Program
The restorative listening and wellbeing service is funded by Fujitsu. The company has said it has a moral obligation to contribute to the costs, but the amount will be determined by the outcome of the public inquiry into the Horizon scandal. Further investigation reports are expected to be published in the coming months.
Next Steps
The current initiatives are initially pilot projects, and their feedback will inform the design of a full, long-term national restorative justice program, scheduled to launch in April. An updated report on restorative justice for post office victims will be released in January. The next phase is about translating the voices of the victims into real, restorative action, ensuring that healing, accountability, and cultural change move forward hand in hand.
