Bringing young criminals face-to-face with their victims can cut crime and re-offending, campaigners suggest.

A Northern Ireland restorative justice scheme run since 2003 has proved more effective at changing behaviour than custody, the Prison Reform Trust says.

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Under the restorative justice approach, offenders formally recognise the consequences of their actions and apologise to victims.

The meetings can be take place as part of a court procedure or be in lieu of a prosecution.

Participants in Northern Ireland’s Youth Conference process have also been ordered to pay compensation, take part in educational activities and unpaid work, or made to have treatment for alcohol, drug, or mental health problems.

More than 5,500 meetings between victims and offenders have taken place in Northern Ireland since 2003.

Figures for the 2003 to 2005 period show the top offence to be dealt with was assault, with 25% of offences referred.

This was followed by criminal damage at 19% and theft at 17%. Just 6% of burglaries and 0.5% of robberies ended in such an approach.

Some 38% of 10 to 17 year olds participating in the scheme in Northern Ireland in 2006 re-offended within a year, compared to 71% of those given custodial terms.

The percentage of those re-offending where restorative justice was used instead of a prosecution was 28%. BBC.

Now if these figures can be repeated across the UK – restorative justice isn’t just financially beneficial it is also socially, mentally and educational beneficial – although in this time of austerity any savings must be welcome – so what’s stopping us?