Lucie Russell from SmartJustice discusses their recent collaboration with ChickenShed Theatre Company in producing new play "as a mother of a brown boy..." which looks at issues affecting young people. She argues that such grassroots projects need to be encouraged in order to help young people at risk avoid getting involved with crime.



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Peter Woolf was a prolific offender, ensconced in a world of violence and depravity, who, by his own reckoning committed about 20,000 crimes. Then he burgled a house, fought with his victim and ended up in prison yet again. This time though it was different. Peter met with his victim, Will, in a restorative justice session that took place in the prison. The meeting changed both their lives for ever.

Peter and Will tell their stories in this film which coincides with the launch of Peter's book, The Damage Done published by Bantum Press and the launch of Why Me? founded by Will, a campaign group set up by and for victims of crime who have benefited from restorative justice and want others to be able to benefit from the same opportunity.


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The Damage Done by Peter Woolf

Why Me?

Restorative Justice Consortium

The Woolf Within is a Level Films production

Two young lads have been sent to prison for spraying graffiti. What a waste of tax payers money...



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Lucie Russell, Director of Smart Justice talks about restorative justice on the Jeremy Vine show on BBC Radio 2. Restorative justice is the process where victims and offenders meet each other. During the meeting the offender has to account for their crimes and make amends to the victim. The victim also gets the opportunity to tell the offender about the impact the crime had on them. The process is highly effective and is used throughout the world.

Also appearing on the programme are victims, who talk about what restorative justice meant to them and the manager of a new Nacro project in Preston where young people involved in crime have to account to other young people for their behaviour.

(Reproduced with the permission of the BBC)


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Lucie Russell, Director of Smart Justice joins a heated debate about women and prison on Channel 4 with Nick Ferrari, Anne Atkins, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan.


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As part of our current campaign, SmartJustice for Young People, we asked video maker Graham Clayton Chance, who has made videos for the Scissor Sisters and REM, to make a film which gives a voice to both victims and young people about crime. The animated short film, "Raw" was shown at the launch of SmartJustice for Young People at Sadlers Wells Theatre in October last year.

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Our current campaign, SmartJustice for Young People was launched at Sadlers Wells Theatre in London last October. The event was created and performed by young offenders and those risk of offending in conjunction with professional artists. BBC News 24 interviews some of the young people who took part about their views on crime.

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A short film about our women in prison campaign including highlights from TV interviews with actress Michelle Collins and SmartJustice director Lucie Russell, an interview with an ex prisoner and with Lord David Ramsbotham, ex Chief Inspector of Prisons.

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Lucie Russell, Director of SmartJustice and Chris Streeks, Actor and ex offender are interviewed on ITVs London Today about the SmartJustice and Victim Support survey which interviewed victims about their views on crime.
(used with permission of ITV)

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