Handbook on Restorative justice programmes

From principles to practice: implementing restorative justice programmes
39 
Judge Barry Stuart, cited in Pranis, Stuart, and Wedge, 2003, p. 252.

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The receptivity of the local criminal justice system to the idea of working
closely with volunteers may not necessarily be at its highest. Finally, a
restorative programme cannot function without having secured the neces-
sary resources to support its volunteers. In brief, even community-based
programmes relying heavily on volunteers need resources. 
The role of volunteers needs to be carefully defined and explained to all
concerned and a good screening process must be in place at the time of
recruitment. Clear criteria for the recruitment of volunteers should be
articulated and made known. Finally, the recruitment must not allow a
certain segment of the community to take over the programme or to create
a perception that the programme is controlled by it. The selection and
training of facilitators and mediators for restorative justice programmes is
a pre-requisite for protecting the rights of the victims and the offenders
and for maintaining the integrity of the restorative process. The Basic
Principles (para. 18 and 19) stresses that facilitators must perform their
duties in an impartial manner, with due respect to the dignity of the parties
and should make every effort to reach an agreement that addresses the inter-
ests of the victim, the offender, the justice system, and the community.