United Nations Nelson Mandela Day |27 July 2023
Restorative justice highlighted through half-day session
An introductory session on restorative justice took place at the Anse Royale university campus last Monday to commemorate United Nations Nelson Mandela Day on June, 18, when people are invited to make a difference in their community.
The half-day session was organised by the University of Seychelles (UniSey) and the Seychelles Prison Service (SPS) and brought together various stakeholders, including staff from the university, the SPS, police and members of the business community.
It was facilitated by Lisa Marqua-Harries, a consultant from RESTORE, a renowned NGO based in Cape Town, South Africa. RESTORE is dedicated to providing restorative justice opportunities to inmates at Pollsmoor prison.
Mrs Marqua-Harries is highly experienced having worked with young offenders at the Pollsmoor prison for over 18 years. Her expertise is further supported by her degree in restorative justice, acquired from the University of Hull.
Currently, through RESTORE, Mrs Marqua-Harries and her team actively engage in weekly victim awareness programmes, conduct circle workshops in high-violence communities and are piloting a participatory action research project empowering ex-offenders, who were once part of her classes, to become researchers in their own communities.
The restorative justice session proved to be an enlightening and interactive experience. It revolved around three fundamental elements, namely encounter, repair, and transform. Attendees were presented with numerous testimonials and real-life experiences showcasing how the restorative justice approach has been successfully implemented in South Africa.
Following the session, ongoing discussions are under way between UniSey, SPS and RESTORE, with the goal of introducing this transformative approach into the Seychelles prison system. The aim is to address the root causes of crimes and reduce recidivism, fostering a more cohesive and rehabilitative society.
The accompanying photographs show some highlights of the interactive session.
Compiled by Diane Larame
