Talks Behind the Walls: Restorative Encounters in Prison Settings (Internet Journal of Restorative Justice Book 1) (English Edition)

This study is based on a pilot project in Hungary carried out within the framework of the EU-funded international project, Mediation and Restorative Justice (RJ) in Prison Settings (MEREPS). This aimed to pilot restorative practises in two Hungarian prisons – an adult and a juvenile – between November 2010 and November 2011. The purpose of the program was to see the extent to which, and the ways in which, different restorative practises can be integrated into the Hungarian prison system generally. The goal of this experiment is to explore the conditions under which good and adaptable practises can be implemented, especially concerning how to involve affected parties in RJ encounters, prepare and run conferences, and do effective follow-ups in the prison setting. This paper contains the results of qualitative evaluation/ research which aimed to map the attitudes of inmates and prison staff towards the principles and practises of restorative justice. The research also aimed to measure the impact of the perceived restorative justice encounters on their motivations and interpersonal dynamics, with a special focus on the differences between the adult and juvenile institutions. The implications of restorative justice with human rights were also considered.