This House Believes That Retributive Justice is Obsolete

The principle of retribution has underpinned many judicial systems dating back to the Biblical era, ad is a core tenet of our understanding of punishment.  Yet the increasingly troubling rates of recidivism and the number of  non-violent offenders in prison have raised doubts about the efficacy of such a judicial system.  Does retributive justice belong in the past, or is it still a necessary part of the healing process for victims and a core component of rehabilitation?

Speakers in Proposition:

• Frances Crook OBE  :  Chief Executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, the oldest penal reform charity in the UK
• Ard van der Steur  :  Dutch lawyer and former politician, Dutch Minister of Security & Justice between 2015 and 2017

Speakers in Opposition:

• Peter Dawson  :  Director of the Prison Reform Trust, previously Governor in the Downview and High Down prisons
• Diane Curry OBE  :  CEO of Partners of Prisoners, working to support the families of offenders

Prior to this debate, the Emergency Debate will be held at 7.45pm on a motion to be decided at this week's Consultative Committee