A “significant” step has been taken in establishing a national restorative justice programme for victims of the Post Office’s Horizon IT scandal.
Children of affected postmasters, as well as those directly hit by the faulty accounting software, will be part of the partially Fujitsu-funded programme, as the UK’s Restorative Justice Council acknowledged more than financial compensation was needed.
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Data from the Fujitsu-made Horizon computer program led to the wrongful prosecution of more than 700 postmasters for theft and false accounting, while many more racked up large debts, lost homes, livelihoods and reputations as they borrowed heavily to plug the incorrectly generated shortfalls in their branches.
As part of the inquiry into the scandal, its chair, Sir Wyn Williams, recommended the government, the Post Office and Fujitsu engage in a formal restorative justice plan to provide “full and fair redress
Restorative justice aims to repair harm by bringing together victims and those responsible.
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Long-sought family involvement
On Thursday, the Restorative Justice Council (RJC), which runs the project, said it would expand engagement to children and families of victims.
The move marked “a significant advancement in the establishment of a national restorative justice programme for those impacted by the Post Office Horizon IT scandal”, the body said.
Relatives have long sought acknowledgement and support for the harm they suffered.
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Some have told Sky News how their eating disorder escalated due to the prosecution of a parent, and they carried trauma for decades.
Calls for a family fund were made to redress the “chances that were taken from us growing up”.
What’s involved?
Online listening sessions for children of those affected and people previously unable to attend are planned in an effort to ensure all voices contribute to the restorative justice programme.
Also involved in the initiative is equipping the government (via the Department for Business and Trade), Post Office and Fujitsu “with the necessary skills and knowledge to engage in restorative dialogue with integrity”, the RJC said.
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Group-based sessions with organisations involved in the scandal and a confidential safe space service for affected people to share their experiences and explore healing without the pressure of a formal process will be created.
Freelance restorative listeners are being recruited by the service for this purpose.
The formation of the scheme acknowledges the limitations of financial redress, with the RJC saying “true restoration requires truth, acknowledgement, accountability and meaningful action beyond financial compensation”.
The funding question
The restorative listening and wellbeing service is being funded by Fujitsu.
It comes amid questions as to the contribution of the Japanese multinational to redress.
Fujitsu has said it is “morally obligated” to contribute to the costs, but the extent would be determined by the outcome of the Horizon scandal public inquiry. Further inquiry reports are to be released in the coming months.
The Post Office is government-owned and so it’s taxpayers who fund victim payouts.
What next?
The RJC initiatives are pilot schemes for now.
Feedback from them is intended to shape the design of a full, long-term, national restorative justice programme, due to launch in April.
An updated report on restorative justice for Post Office victims will be published in January.
“The next phase is about translating their voices into real, restorative action – ensuring that healing, accountability and cultural change progress hand in hand,” said RJC chief executive Jim Simon.
So far, 145 individuals have been involved, with an extra 200 postmasters expected to be engaged between November and March.
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“Engagement is good and continues to grow,” Mr Simon said.
