YOUNG people on the Isle of Wight will hear how a programme dubbed 'Restorative Justice' helped Jacob Dunne, who fatally knocked a man to his death in an unprovoked attack in 2011, turn his life around.

The talks are part of Restorative Justice Week (November 18 to 25) which aims to raise awareness of how restorative justice can help victims gain answers to questions not resolved through the criminal justice process, and offenders to fully understand the impact of their offending behaviour.

Jacob received a two-and-a-half year custodial sentence for manslaughter. On leaving prison, he found himself homeless and unemployed. After finding out about and engaging in restorative justice with the family of his victim, and with the encouragement of his victim’s parents, he got his life back on track. The process also helped Jacob’s victim’s family to cope with what had happened to them. Jacob now campaigns to raise awareness of restorative justice and that a single punch can kill.

The money for Jacob to visit several Isle of Wight schools on November 19 and 20 and young people working with the Youth Offending Team to tell his story has been obtained from the Police and Crime Commissioner, The Bay CE School, Sandown and the Isle of Wight Community Safety Partnership

Restorative justice is a victim focused approach that empowers victims by giving them a voice and the opportunity to meet or communicate with the person responsible for the offence and to explain how the crime has affected them and ask questions.

It enables victims and offenders to communicate about the harm that has been caused and find a way to repair that harm. For any kind of communication to take place, the offender must have admitted to the crime and both the victim and offender must be willing to take part voluntarily.

Hampshire and the Isle of Wight's Police and Crime Commissioner Michael Lane, has commissioned an inclusive restorative justice service for the Isle of Wight, Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth to ensure that all victims can access restorative justice, should they wish to, regardless of the type of offence or when the offence was committed.

Victims of crime on the Isle of Wight can access restorative justice services by phoning 0800 043 8785, texting ‘RESTORE’ to 66777 or by emailing hiow@restorativesolutions.org.uk Further information on restorative justice can also be found at www.rjhampshire.org.uk

Jacob will be visiting: The Bay Church of England Secondary School, Sandown; Island Learning Centre, Newport; Ryde Academy, Ryde; Youth Offending Team, County Hall, Newport.