Plans for offenders to make apology

Offenders could make personal apologies to victims under restorative justice proposals being considered by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

Justice Minister Crispin Blunt said victims of crime are "frustrated" by the lack of involvement in the justice system.

A report released by two charities suggests that such a move would save the state £185 million over two years by reducing re-offending.

Mr Blunt told The Observer: "I'm a maximalist when it comes to restorative justice - I want to get it into our system at every stage.

"It makes common sense - if you have a system that is remote, so the victim doesn't really engage, then (they become) frustrated by the lack of involvement."

He said he also supported a form of "community payback", where money earned by offenders in prison and during alternative forms of punishment is diverted to their victims.

"With community payback there is a value of the labour that is being done and that value should be cashed and should be going back to the victim," he said.

Last week, Mr Blunt was overruled by Downing Street after he announced plans to allow prisoners to hold party nights in jail.

In a humiliating slapdown, Number 10 contacted the MoJ after Mr Blunt announced he was lifting a ban on arts events such as comedy workshops and fancy dress parties.

Victim Support and the Restorative Justice Consortium (RJC) praised Mr Blunt's proposals for restorative justice and said victims would be empowered by the move.