The Society for Nature, Education and Health (SNEH) organised a seminar on ‘Restorative Justice (RJ)’ here on Sunday.
Chief guest Additional IG, Prisons, Surath Mallick inaugurated the seminar along with DCP, Crime, Commissionerate Police, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, Sudam Charan Sahoo as guest of honour. SNEH’s president, Subarna Ghosh presided and delivered the welcome address.
Participating in the seminar, Additional IG, Prisons, Mallick said, “RJ is not a new concept in India. Petty offences were earlier dealt with by the community. The more heinous crimes were handled by the law courts,” adding that RJ is a good concept and if implemented, will reduce crime.
DCP Sahoo suggested that all stakeholders, i.e., administration, police and the community should be involved in the RJ process. He said the Supreme Court has suggested that petty offences be dealt with through counselling processes.
Jail Superintendent Swain spoke about RJ and its components. Restorative Justice protects the dignity and respect of all the involved parties in the process. It also focuses on reintegration, healing and restitution, he opined.
At the outset, Subarna Ghosh hailed President Droupadi Murmu’s remarks on jails in India being overcrowded by those who commit petty crimes. She also questioned the need for more jails when there were so many other priorities for a developing nation. Activist Subas Panda spoke about the history and origin of restorative justice.
Odisha Jail Superintendent Satyaprakash Swain was felicitated on the occasion for his distinguished correctional work in jails. The seminar was attended by 30 civil society members, including senior police officers, advocates, social workers, members of the judiciary, educationists, human rights activists and journalists.