en
What is restorative justice?

Recommended books
Partners and Sponsors

Sign up

PUBLICATIONS


21 minutes Podcast of Borbala Fellegi about her article on her theory about the so-called 'reconciliiation' and 'distancing' spirals based on her article "Bruising and Healing: The dynamics of resolving grievances (2021)

In this conversation Claire de Mézerville López invited Borbala Fellegi to
discuss her Presidential Paper, Bruising and healing: The dynamics of
resolving grievances (2021), where Dr. Fellegi explains the reconciliation
spiral and distancing spiral involved in the mediation process of dealing
with conflict and reintegration at the community, interpersonal, and
criminal level. We shed light on indicators of distance and the indicators
of distance reduction between people that lead to healing and
reconciliation. Dr. Fellegi illustrates the power of acknowledgement and
acceptance in situations where there is resistance to finding solutions,
ultimately recognizing and valuing all participants humanity and lived
experience.

(Source: https://podtail.com/podcast/restorative-works/borbala-fellegi-ph-d-speaks-with-claire-de-mezervi/
)

Borbala Fellegi: Bruising and healing - The dynamics of resolving grievances

In our interpersonal relations, both in the communities surrounding us and as part of the processes taking place on a societal level, we encounter conflicts and suffer “bruises”—the wounds that these conflicts inflict. The parties concerned can talk about the injuries suffered or can avoid each other; they can get closer to or further away from each other. This article features models of a Reconciliation Spiral and a Distancing Spiral that identify a range of points in each process that can help us understand the dynamics that can drive movement toward one or the other. The models are supported by established research in the field, the author’s education in criminological and psychological research, and her experience in conflict resolution projects and cases working in mediation/conflict management in Hungary. Stressing that the models she offers are not prescriptive, but rather descriptive of the general shape and flow of the processes of reconciliation and separation that she has witnessed, the author helps to identify key places where specific responses and actions can support creating dialogue for reconciliation.

Reference:

Fellegi, B. (2021, Fall). Bruising and healing: The dynamics of resolving grievances. IIRP Presidential Paper Series, 5, 1-30. 

https://www.iirp.edu/pps5

European Best Practices of Restorative Justice in the Criminal Procedure, 2010

Conference Publication of the Ministry of Justice, Hungary, 2010
Project Number: JLS/2007/ISEC/FPA/C1/033

Copyright by the Ministry of Justice Hungary.

The general objective of the project is - in line with the objective No. 2.6 of the Hague Programme - to professionalise and strengthen the EUCPN and that it should provide expertise and knowledge to develop effective crime prevention policies - to collect and disseminate those best practices implemented at any stage of the criminal procedure (investigation, accusation, trial, implementation of sentences) in the MSs of the EU, which could be drawn under the conception of RJ. This objective would be achieved using the professional connections of the EUCPN.

Gábor Héra: Summary study of the project entitled "Prevention of Radicalization in the Prison-system"

The present study not only aimed at collecting information about radicalisation and extremism by research activities. Additionally, efforts were taken to improve skills required to recognise and prevent radicalisation through training activities also supporting and accelerating the reaction of staff. This experimental training and collection of information is extremely significant not only for the existing staff with meaningful professional know-how and experiences but also in terms of the planned increase and training of personnel by thousands of staff in the Hungarian Prison Service. The present summary study provides an overview of the entire project, summarizes its main results and formulates recommendations. The results have been presented in the international conference organized in Budapest, 26 June, 2018.

Gábor Héra: Counteracting social exclusion through restorative approaches

In: Pali, B. (Ed.), Aertsen, I. (Ed.). (2018). Restoring Justice and Security in Intercultural Europe. London: Routledge.

The intercultural contexts and new configurations in Europe offer fertile ground for social conflict, tensions and threat. This book challenges predominant and fear inducing approaches of justice and security as they appear in intercultural contexts, and develops alternative understandings by exploring both theoretically and empirically the potential of dialogic and restorative justice oriented actions in sensitive areas of living together. The book offers unique opportunities for rethinking frames of (in)justice, (in)security, and their intersections, and for reshaping European practices and policies in a more sustainable way.

This book is based on an innovative and exploratory action research project in four European countries, which challenges the obsessive focus on security concerns, the merging of the security discourse with intercultural contexts, and the emphasis on technology and surveillance as a way to conceive the doing of security. Both the project and the book offer another vision on what security means and how it can be done, by multiplying participatory encounters between different groups in society, promoting opportunities for deliberations and dialogue about alternative forms of conviviality.

The book is one of two volumes resulting from the work by a group of researchers in six European countries having cooperated intensively during four years in ALTERNATIVE, an action research project funded under the EU Seventh Framework Programme.

Dóra Szegő, Gabriella Benedek and Éva Győrfi: Turning resistance to cooperation: Action research in Hungary

In: Vanfraechem, I. (Ed.), Aertsen, I. (Ed.). (2018). Action Research in Criminal Justice. London: Routledge.

To understand how people experience justice and security is a challenging task in times of unrest, marked by growing perceptions of insecurity, discrimination and uncertainty. The European project ALTERNATIVE aimed to understand justice and security experiences related to conflicts in intercultural settings, when citizens are given the means to actively contribute to these processes.

This book relates how the project was set up as an action research through the concrete description of four action sites: social housing estates in Vienna, Austria; a small community in Hungary with a Roma population; three border towns in Serbia; and three communities in Northern Ireland. These four sites have been compared through an innovative methodology, which leads to a deeper understanding of the impact of participatory and restorative justice oriented processes, and - in a more general way - of what action research may entail in the criminological field. Bringing together researchers and case studies from around Europe, this book examines the scientific potential of action research as a methodology in criminal justice settings.

This book is one of two volumes resulting from the work by a group of researchers in six European countries having cooperated intensively during four years in ALTERNATIVE, an action research project funded under the EU Seventh Framework Programme.

Dóra Szegő: Participatory filming as part of action research in ALTERNATIVE: Experiences from four countries

In: Vanfraechem, I. (Ed.), Aertsen, I. (Ed.). (2018). Action Research in Criminal Justice. London: Routledge.

To understand how people experience justice and security is a challenging task in times of unrest, marked by growing perceptions of insecurity, discrimination and uncertainty. The European project ALTERNATIVE aimed to understand justice and security experiences related to conflicts in intercultural settings, when citizens are given the means to actively contribute to these processes.

This book relates how the project was set up as an action research through the concrete description of four action sites: social housing estates in Vienna, Austria; a small community in Hungary with a Roma population; three border towns in Serbia; and three communities in Northern Ireland. These four sites have been compared through an innovative methodology, which leads to a deeper understanding of the impact of participatory and restorative justice oriented processes, and - in a more general way - of what action research may entail in the criminological field. Bringing together researchers and case studies from around Europe, this book examines the scientific potential of action research as a methodology in criminal justice settings.

This book is one of two volumes resulting from the work by a group of researchers in six European countries having cooperated intensively during four years in ALTERNATIVE, an action research project funded under the EU Seventh Framework Programme.

Video presentation by Borbála Fellegi of RJ in Hungary

Video presentation in 16-min provided for the Conference "Rethinking Crime and Punishment", held in Sofia on 21 April 2018, Bulgaria, organised by the organisation "Restorative Justice in Bulgaria" about our restorative justice system and experiences in the Hungarian context.
The presentation is available from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6X5ZqIeOpWs&t=1s

Constructive and destructive dialogues between victims and offenders: Testing the Needs-Based Model of Reconciliation in a restorative justice setting.

Abstract

The goal of the present article was to design a pilot study investigating the relevance of two theoretical frameworks in a restorative justice setting in order to better understand the characteristics of communication between victims and offenders. The concept of the “magnitude gap” (Baumeister, 1996) and the Needs-Based Model of Reconciliation (Shnabel and Nadler, 2008) are presented as theoretical foundations and are hypothesized as indicators for destructive and constructive communication behaviours in conflict. As a real life setting, restorative justice practices are introduced. Methods: Recorded tapes of two conveniently selected cases of restorative justice interventions were content analysed. A categorization scheme was a priori developed based on the presented theories, mapping victim and offender needs, magnitude gap behaviours as well as messages of empowerment and acceptance. Findings of the content analysis were then compared against the postulates of the theoretical models. Results: Results indicate that both frameworks are relevant and applicable in RJ settings. Implications of needs, constructive and destructive communication as well as on methodology are reflected in light of the findings. Discussion: Implications for practitioners as well as attempts to embed empowerment and acceptance messages in clinical and in real-life contexts are discussed.

Keywords: conflict, needs-based model of reconciliation, magnitude gap, restorative justice

For referencing:

Z. Papp Zs., Fellegi B., Szegő D. (2016), Constructive and destructive dialogues between victims and offenders: Testing the Needs-Based Model of Reconciliation in a restorative justice setting. Alkalmazott Pszichológia (Applied Psychology), 16(4):93–112.

This issue of the journal is available from here: www.eltereader.hu/media/2016/12/APA_2016_4_READER.pdf

Developing peacemaking circles in Europe - research publication

This study represents the background and results of a pilot study to implement peacemaking or healing circles in Europe. Even though victim- offender mediation is well known and applied in various forms in practice, this study explores the possibilities to add the community in this picture. For this pilot study three countries were chosen: Germany, Belgium and Hungary. A total of 30 peace making circles were conducted in these countries and we were able to implement them in these different contexts. As a preliminary result it can be said that although we believe that peacemaking circles may have the highest potential for restorative success, we do not believe that those peacemaking circles are the one and only model of restorative justice that will always work. By adding peacemaking circles to the catalogue of restorative justice measures, one can improve the options for victims, offenders, and communities who like to deal with the consequences of crimes in a restorative way. However, due to legal and administrative hurdles this is not always an easy task and, depending on the country and legal system, it involves a lot of efforts to get it done. But the good news is: it can be done!

Weitekamp, E.G.M. (Ed.), Aertsen, I. – Barabás, T. – Benedek, G. – Dhondt, D. – Ehret, B. – Fellegi, B. – Kerner, H-J. – Parmentier, S. – Szegő, D. – Windt, Sz. (2015), Developing Peacemaking Circles in a European Context. Main Report. In: Tükrim, Band 34.-35, Tübingen, Institut für Kriminologie. Downloadable from:http://dx.doi.org/10.15496/publikation-10134 and http://dx.doi.org/10.15496/publikation-10929

Anna Bárdits, András Kristóf Kádár, Nóra Novoszádek, Bori Simonovits, Dóra Szegő, Dániel Vince: „Last Among Equals – The equality before the law of vulnerable groups in the criminal justice system”

The objective of the Hungarian Helsinki Committee's project was to examine whether in its present form the Hungarian justice system guarantees the equality before the law of Roma and non-Roma defendants. In the framework of the project Dora Szegő, researcher of Foresee Research Group carried out focus-group discussions with the anonymous and voluntary participation of penitentiary staff members in three prisons.

The final research report, finalised on the basis of the comments made by the participants of the conference and containing also the results of the focus group discussions, is available in Hungarian, and in English as well by following the links.

Sándor Nagy and Dóra Szegő: To Think Outwards

A story about the importance of decisions and human relationships. The story of Sándor could be the story of many. He wanted to break free from his criminal life and its effects on him with "one last big job", which instead got him locked away for a long time.

What separates this story from the story of many is Sándor's steadfast will to take responsibility and change himself and his life. He recognized the downward spiral his life was in and broke fee. This is what makes his story special.

Aleksandar Stoychev, Gabriella Benedek, Petra Binkova, Ioan Durnescu, Zuzana Vasičáková Očenásová: Good Practices of Community Conflict Management in the Central and Eastern European Region

The general objective of the project “Best Practices of Community Conflict Management in the Central and Eastern European Region” was to create a methodological and practical guide to local practitioners of the EU Member States, in which they would be able to find helpful instructions on how to plan, fund and implement programmes aiming at community conflicts prevention and/or management.

The whole report can be accessed here.

Developing Peacemaking Circles in a European Context -- Final Research Report

The full report is available for download, with hyper-linked table of content.

This research report summarises the results of the EU-funded project, led by the University of Tübingen, titled ‘How can Peacemaking Circles be implemented in countries governed by the “principle of legality?” Due to a detailed legal, methodological and empirical analysis, the reader can gain a picture on how peacemaking circles could work and what were their impact in Germany, Belgium and Hungary.

A peacemaking circle is an alternative conflict resolution process based on restorative principles that has its origins in ancient tribal conflict resolution rituals. Compared to other restorative practices peacemaking circles aim to address even broader levels of harm by involving a larger spectrum of people affected by the crime committed (eg. family members, members of the community). In addition to that, one peculiarity of the method is that it also aims to involve the court personnel (judge, prosecutor, police officer, etc.) in the procedure while using the spiritual and structural power of circles.

Gábor Héra: Roma and non-Roma conflicts in the light of power relationships

Published in: Temida - Journal of Victimisation, Human Rights and Gender. No 3-4, vol. 16., December 2013

The article summarises the findings of the first phase of an action research study focusing on how restorative justice approaches and practices can support conflict resolution within an intercultural context. The author will describe the relationship between the Roma and non-Roma residents in a Hungarian village. Consideration will be given to the “ordering groups” of the local community and will discuss some of their conflicts. It will be argued that these ordering groups may influence inter-ethnic relationships and impact how Roma and non-Roma members of the community may live harmoniously together.

Borbála Fellegi and Dóra Szegő: Handbook for Facilitating Peacemaking Circles

This Handbook is the first manual that provides guidance to how to facilitate peacemaking circles in the European context, especially in continental legal systems.

This publication is primarily directed to an audience of practitioners who have already become experienced in mediation and/or in other restorative practices and are open to experiment with peacemaking circles in their practice as circle facilitators.

The full text of the Handbook can be downloaded from this link.

Resolving Disputes in the 21st Century

Edited by Slávka Karkošková and Lenka Holá, et al. (2013). this international publication is about the philosophical and ethical aspects of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) (1), on the state of affairs of ADR and mediation the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Italy (2.), on mediation in family and criminal matters (3.,5.) and on collaborative law (4.).

This publication is an outcome of the international project Resolving Disputes in the 21st Century (REDICT), nr. 11412 1491, supported by the European Commission’s Grundtvig Programme (Adult Learning Programme within the Lifelong Learning Programme).

Borbála Fellegi: Methodological synthesis of the different techniques of alternative dispute resolution (incl. mediation and restorative justice practices)

Five figures on three questions: 1.) how can we systemise the different ADR techniques, incl. arbitration, mediation and restorative justice practices?, 2.) factors that determine whether an impartial conflict resolution expert can be involved into any community conflict and 3.) factors that  determine whom we can involve into any ADR process (as parties, supporters and community) and in what roles.

Presentation on the final professional conference of the TEtt programme

In her presentation, Dr. Borbála Fellegi introduced the role of restorative approach in society, the applicability of restorative programmes, and also mentioned the recommendations of the recently finished, Foresee-led MEREPS project.

Responsibility-taking, Relationship-Building and Restoration in Prison - Final Publication of the MEREPS project

BARABÁS, T. – FELLEGI, B. – WINDT, Sz. (eds.) (2012), Responsibility-taking, Relationship-Building and Restoration in Prison - Final Publication of the MEREPS (Mediation and Restorative Justice in Prison Settings) project.
The publication includes the final research results and prison mediation case studies from Hungary, Germany, the United Kingdom and Belgium.

Responsibility-taking, Relationship-Building and Restoration in Prison - Final Publication of the MEREPS project in Hungarian

BARABÁS, T. – FELLEGI, B. – WINDT, Sz. (eds.) (2012), Responsibility-taking, Relationship-Building and Restoration in Prison - Final Publication of the MEREPS (Mediation and Restorative Justice in Prison Settings) project.The publication includes the final research results and prison mediation case studies from Hungary, Germany, the United Kingdom and Belgium in Hungarian language.

Borbála Fellegi's article in Temida, Journal on Victimisation, Human Rights and Gender

FELLEGI, B. (2011), „Building and toning: An analysis of the institutionalisation of mediation in penal matters in Hungary”, In. Temida, Journal on Victimisation, Human Rights and Gender, No 1, Vol. 14.,: 21-37. 

Dr. Barabás Andrea and Dr. Windt Szandra's presentation on the general Meeting of the European Forum for Restorative Justice

The experts reported on the possibilities of RJ in prison settings. They presented in details the process and results of the quantitative and qualitative researches of the year, and compared Mediation/RJ in pre and post sentence phase, stating the superiority of the former. The presentation also clarified the legal limits of mediation in Hungary and described the approach and methodology of implementing the RJ in the prison system.

Szegő Dóra's presentation at the round-table discussion ’Restorative methods in prisons’

At the round-table discussion organized by the Hungarian Criminal Association, MEREPS program was introduced by Dóra Szegő analyst, representing Foresee Research Group. In her talk, Ms. Szegő outlined the implementation process of the project.

Resolution of conflicts involving prisoners

The Handbook is based on the combined methodology developed by Dr. Marian Liebmann, an England-based mediator/facilitator who has decades of experience in this field. We asked her not to limit the training programme to be implemented at the Balassagyarmat prison to a particular method (e.g. mediation), indicating that we would be pleased to receive an insight into various practices (including restorative conferencing) that may facilitate dialogue between those affected by a serious crime and support the restorative mediation process.

Borbala Fellegi: Mediation with our own colleagues? (December 2009) (pdf)

The presentation aims to discuss the importance of co-operation and experience exchange between international professionals of mediation. Based on the recently started Hungarian victim-offender (VOM) practice an overview is provided on the possible challenges and supportive factors of the topic.

Dr. Szandra Windt: The background and the first results of an empirical research in two Hungarian prisons (2010) (ppt)

The presentaion focusing on the background and the first results of an empirical research conducted in two Hungarian prisons as part of the MEREPS project was held on the 10th anniversary conference of the European Forum for Restorative Justice, on the 18th of June, 2010, in Billbao, Spain.

The presentation can be downloaded here.

Dr. Andrea Tünde Barabás: The possibility of RJ in prison settings (The first issues of the MEREPS project in two Hungarian prisons) (2010) (ppt)

The presentation about the pre-results and experiences of a survey in connection with the attitudes of RJ in prison, took place on the 10th anniversary conference of the European Forum for Restorative Justice, on the 18th of June, 2010, in Billbao, Spain.

The presentation can be downloaded here, the picturse in the presentation were taken by Dr. Andrea Tünde Barabás.

Dr. Borbala Fellegi: An overview of the MEREPS Project (2010) (ppt)

The presentation about the aims, partners, and activities of the MEREPS Project took place on the 10th anniversary conference of the European Forum for Restorative Justice, on the 18th of June, 2010, in Billbao, Spain.

The presentation can be downloaded here.

"Questions and answers": Alternative social services against poverty (2010) (in Hungarian) (ppt)

The experts invited to the conference organized by the Institute for Social Policy and Labour shared their experiences in the field of running programmes fighting extreme poverty in hopes of working those experiences into a positvie model based on communal social work.

Dr. Borbála Fellegi in her presentation entitled "Community building and dispute resolution" introduced the steps, guidelines, and expert background of Foresee Research Group's successful Nagybörzsöny Project.

The presentation can be downloaded in Hungarian here.

Borbála Fellegi: Using mediation in ethnic-based conflicts (12-13 April 2010) (in English) (ppt)

The lecture presenting alternative conflict resolution through one of Foresee Research Group's successful projects was given at Presov University, Slovakia.

The presentation can be downloaded here.

Borbála Fellegi: The Restorative Approach in Practice: Models in Europe and in Hungary (27 April 2010) (in English) (pdf)

In the first half of the article it would be analysed what responses under social policy are available in relation to the difficulties that arise in connection with crimes and to the conflicts between the affected persons (the victim and the offender) and their communities. What moral, regulatory and institutional systems and schemes are available for society to give a response to crimes?
Published in the Conference Publication by the Hungarian Ministry of Justice and Law Enforcement on "European Best Practices of Restorative Justice in the Criminal Procedure".

Borbála Fellegi: The Restorative Approach in Practice: Models in Europe and in Hungary (27 April 2010) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

In the first half of the article it would be analysed what responses under social policy are available in relation to the difficulties that arise in connection with crimes and to the conflicts between the affected persons (the victim and the offender) and their communities. What moral, regulatory and institutional systems and schemes are available for society to give a response to crimes?
Published in the Conference Publication by the Hungarian Ministry of Justice and Law Enforcement on "European Best Practices of Restorative Justice in the Criminal Procedure".

Borbála Fellegi: Facilitation and mediation of disputes involving ethnic differences (2010) (in English) (ppt)

The two weeks long international training organised by the partnerhip of the Central European University, the Hamline University School of Law and the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law between the 7-18th June lined up a number of international professionals such as Lela Love, Joseph Stulberg, Petra Bárd, Christian Hartwig, Kollonay Csilla and Borbála Fellegi. Foresee Research Group's manager read a paper about the overview of efficient rconciliative techniques through the example of a successful community mediation program in Nagybörzsöny. During an informal talk following the presentation concerned an analysis of conflict resolution methods and the facilitation of communication between opposing parties.

Borbála Fellegi: Reconciliation between retribution and restoration: attitudes of judges and prosecutors towards restorative justice and victim-offender mediation in Hungary (2010) (in English) (ppt)

The two weeks long international training organised by the partnerhip of the Central European University, the Hamline University School of Law and the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law between the 7-18th June lined up a number of international professionals such as Lela Love, Joseph Stulberg, Petra Bárd, Christian Hartwig, Kollonay Csilla and Borbála Fellegi. Foresee Research Group's manager read a paper about mediation's adaptation in the Hungarian jurisdiction system. During an informal talk following the presentation concerned an analysis of conflict resolution methods and the facilitation of communication between opposing parties.

Borbála Fellegi: The status and possibilities of restorative justice in Hungary (2010) (in Hungarian) (ppt)

The presentation shed light on the charactheristic differences between restorative and retributive justice, showed the studenst some basic methodology, then outlined the present-day situation.

Borbála Fellegi: Conflict handling and dispute resolution in Nagybörzsöny (2010) (In Hungarian) (ppt)

The presentation focuses on the steps, guidelines, and expert background of Foresee Research Group's successful Nagybörzsöny Project.

Borbála Fellegi: The situation of child- and juvenile offenders in Hungary: For them or against them? (15 April 2010) (in Hungarian) (ppt)

The presentation took place during the expert meeting on the flaws of the practices in the cases of juvenile offenders, and the chance of a change in those parctices organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Borbála Fellegi: A theoretical approach to restorative justice (March 2010) (in Hungarian) (ppt)

The presentation of Borbala Borbála held on the "Academy of Crime Prevention" for civilians and policemen on the 29th of march 2010.
Co-presenters: Dr. Csongor Herke and Vidia Negrea.

The recension of Katalin Gönczöl about Borbála Fellegi's book Towards restoration – The implementation of restorative justice in Hungary (In.: Magyar Tudomány, March 2010) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

"Looking at the title, this book could be the long awaited political pamphlet as well, but do not let yourself disappointed when you find out that it is a professionally written book in the field of social science!"

The theoretical and practical sides of restorative processes (February - March 2010) (ppt)

The course consisting of 20 lessons by Borbála Fellegi took place on the post-gradual mediator school of Pázmány Péter University of Science.

The final study about the "Civilian Strategies in the Magdolna District" project by the "Young Greens Association". (January 2010) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The final study introducing the aims, strategies and results of the Magdolna district Social City Rehabilitation Programme also makes mention about the successes achieved in the fields of bringing together civilian associations,, the cultural and social integration of the district, and empowering the local community, but notes the problems waiting to be solved as well.

Borbála Fellegi: Mediation with our own colleagues? (7 December 2009) (ppt)

The presentation aims to discuss the importance of co-operation and experience exchange between international professionals of mediation. Based on the recently started Hungarian victim-offender (VOM) practice an overview is provided on the possible challenges and supportive factors of the topic.

Borbála Fellegi: Towards restoration – The implementation of restorative justice in Hungary. (December 2009) (in Hungarian) (ppt)

The presentation about restorative justice and the intoduction of the book took place on the City Court of Kiskunhalas.

Borbála Fellegi: Mentalhygienic interventional methods for preventing a deviant life. (October 2009) (in Hungarian) (ppt)

The presentation, introducing the restorative approach, the situation of restorative justice in present-day Hungary and the psychological importance of both was held on the Clinical Psychology Department of SOTE.

Boglárka Bakó and Kinga Mandel: Staying in or staying out. (September 2009) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The paper focusing on the problems and possibilities of vocational and high-school education on romungro children was made for an expert-meeting of
The Minority Research Institution of the MTA (Hungarian Academy of Science).

Borbála Fellegi: Social support for RJ? Or RJ to build social support? (June 2009) (pdf)

An analysis of the present tendencies, strengths and weaknesses of restorative justice in Central and Eastern Europe. Paper presented at the Seminar, “Building support for restorative justice” of the European Forum for Restorative Justice in Leuven.

Borbála Fellegi: Towards restoration – The implementation of restorative justice in Hungary (the introduction of a book) (June 2009) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

How can we use our conflicts to strengthen our social bonds? Can we hope for justice when the aim of answer to offenses is the reparation of the harm caused by the offense? What takes place in the souls of the victims and offenders when they let go of thoughts of retaliation and let restoration in?

The professional report of the National crime Prevention Board on the "Settlement mediation in Nagybörzsöny" project (May 2009) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The professional report introducing the structure, presons, methods, and results of the Nagybörzsöny project of Foresee Research Group.

The recension of Emőke Bányai about Borbala Fellegi's book, entitled "Towards restoration – The implementation of restorative justice in Hungary" (In: Esély, April 2009) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

"In the case of a PhD dissertation it is the sign of effective work when the paper is read with interest not only by the evaluators, but by the experts and the interested amateurs of the given field as well. The book of Borbala Fellegi is one of these works, and the once-paper stands its ground as a textbook just as well."

Source: Emőke Bányai:A megbékélés útjai (In: Esély, 2009/4)

Borbála Fellegi: The restorative approach in practice: models in Europe and in Hungary. (April 2009) (ppt)

An overview of the integration of restorative attitude’s new principals into the criminal justice system and its present status in Hungary. Paper presented at the Conference of the European Crime Prevention Network in Budapest.

The overview of Foresee's ”Mediation and restorative justice in the prison settings” (MEREPS) project (2009) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The aim of the three year-long project of the international consortium is to measure the possibilities of using the restorative approach in prison settings, and to foster its application with pilot projects and empiric research.

The press release of Foresee Research Group about their project entitled "Settlement mediation in Nagybörzsöny" (2009) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The press release introducing the structure, presons, methods, and results of the Nagybörzsöny project of Foresee Research Group.

Borbála Fellegi: "With or For?" Restorative approach in the everyday child protection. (October 2008) (in Hungarian) (ppt)

The presentation focusing on the application of restorative approach in the case if problems with children, and the possibilities of justice was held in the Aszód Reformatory on the XVI. György Ferenci Reformatory Science Day.

Borbála Fellegi: Communication of victim-offender mediation: working towards a professional consensus. (April 2008) (ppt)

An overview of the implementation of restorativ justice, theorical and empirical results of research, opportunities for applying RJ within the criminal justice system and its status in Hungary. Paper presented at the Fifth Conference of the European Forum for Restorative Justice in Verona.

Arsovska, J. and Valinas, M. and Fellegi, B.: Prologue to the Kosovo drama: origin, causes and consequences of a violent ethno-political conflict (2008) (in English) (link)

On the basis of the analysis the possibilities and limits for restorative justice are evaluated connected to this special field. Namely does an approach that intends to provide long-term solutions to violent conflicts through dialogue and participation have any potential in the Kosovo context?

The full article can be found in this book.

(Aertsen, I., Arsovska, J., Rohne, H-C., Valinas, M. and Vanspauwen, K.: Restoring Justice after Large-scale Violent Conflicts. Kosovo, DR Congo and the Israeli-Palestinian case. )

Borbála Fellegi: Retribution, understanding or prevention? (February 2008) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

Recension about the book: Control or support: The dilemma of alternative sanctions written by Klára Kerezsi.

Borbála Fellegi: Beyond mediation - an outlook on the spread of the restorative approach. (February 2008) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The presentation about the Hungarian results, status and acceptance of restorative justice was held on the Academy of Crime-prevention.

Borbála Fellegi: Criminal Mediation, juvenile offenders, abusive families – What answers does the Austrian istitution-system give to these questions? (January 2008) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The report is based on the results of a study tour organized as part of the AGIS programme of the Family, Children, Youth Association, and alongside looking into the Austrian situation, also examines the differences and similarities of the Hungarian and the Austrian systems.

Borbála Fellegi: Attitudes of attorneys and judges about restorative justice – Present and future in the light of a survey. (November 2007) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The presentation about the results of a survey based on structured interviews (about attitudes towards restorative justice) with criminal judges and attorneys, was held on the session of Hungarian Society of Criminology

Borbála Fellegi: Retribution vs. restoration: What is the aim of our criminal system according to attorneys and judges? (November 2007) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The presentation about the results of a survey based on structured interviews (about attitudes towards restorative justice) with criminal judges and attorneys, was held on the conference of ELTE Faculty of Social Sciences Doctoral School of Sociology in 2007.

Borbála Fellegi: Attitudes of judges and prosecutors towards restorative justice in Hungary - lost in transition? (September 2007) (ppt)

An overview of restorative justice’s state in Hungary and future opportunities of changing the legislation system. Paper presented at the 7th Annual Conference of the European Society of Criminology, Bologna.

Borbála Fellegi: Explaining the impact of restorative justice: the ‘4-way interaction’ of morality, neutralisation, shame and bonds. (June 2007) (pdf)

The study emphasizes the social-psychological mechanisms of restorative practices and its influence on offenders.

Borbála Fellegi: Introduction to Restorative Justice. (June 2007) (ppt)

An overview of restorative justice, its basic principles and methods for being applied in Serbia. Paper presented at a commissioners training in Belgrade, funded by the Council of Europe

Borbála Fellegi: Expert group on family groups. (May 2007) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The report was based on the results of a study tour in the Netherlands, which was part of the AGIS programme of the Family, Children, Youth Association.

Borbála Fellegi: Restorative Approach in prisons - International experiences. (December 2007) (in Hungarian) (ppt)

The presentation intorducing the restorative approach and its possibilities via foreign examples was held at the conference of Balassagyarmat Prison.

Borbála Fellegi: What restorative justice-related trainings do, can and should legal professionals have in Europe? (January 2007) (pdf)

An overview on the trainings of legal practitioners, the main strategic issues and methods – presented at COST Action A21 Conference in Warsaw.

Borbála Fellegi: Reconciliation between retribution and restoration: attitudes of judges and prosecutors towards restorative justice and victim-offender mediation in Hungary. (2007) (pdf)

An overview of restorative justice’s state in Hungary and future opportunities of changing the legislation system. Paper presented at the Conference of the European Mediation Network in Vienna.

Coker, D., De La Concha, J., Fellegi, B., Hogarth, L., Kadaplackal, F., Kahn, B., Parle, L. and Stamatakis, N.: The hidden dimensions of Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic Homelessness (2007) (pdf)

The Final report requested by Race on the Agenda, London, discussing the developement of restorative justice and the training of legal officiers. The project was carried out by the Independent Academic Research Studies.

Borbála Fellegi: Book review on Understanding Youth and Crime – Listening to Youth? by Shelia Brown (March 2006) (pdf)

Understanding  Youth  and  Crime  –  Listening  to   youth? is much more than an introductory textbook about the underlying concepts linked to childhood and youth and their possible relations with crime. It is even more than a study merely about youth: it is an excellent scientific journey into the fundamental issues about basic mechanisms of societies at large and the way in which the ‘youth issue’ is constructed within them.

Borbála Fellegi: Social answers to offenses: Retribution or Restitution? (February 2006) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The presentation focusing on the alternative solutions on the ever-growing problem of childhood and juvenile crime, the potentials of restorative justice, and the use of restorative justice in Hungary in comparison to its use abroad, was held at the conference of ELTE Faculty of Social Sciences Doctoral School of Sociology in the year 2006.

The Un Handbook on Restorative Justice (2006) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The handbook published by UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime) was developed by a group of international experts. It gives an overall pictur of restorative justice, its application, principles, its present and future.

Borbála Fellegi: Explaining the Impact of Restorative Justice in Dealing with Violent Behaviour. (September 2005) (ppt)

The paper presented at the 10th Workshop on Agression in Luxembourg overviews restorative justice, its techniques and importance in jurisdiction.

Borbála fellegi: Us and Them. (June 2005) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

Once again, we are not speaking of the things we should. A pasenger of the 21 bus was stabbed and the bus along with the other passengers kept moving. Then came the scandal. We could hear it, read it in the media: „A roma was stabbed! There must have been racist motives. This calls for an answer!” now it turns out that the offender also declares himself roma…

Borbála Fellegi: Summary of the Central and Eastern European AGIS project. (2005) (pdf)

The article discusses the European Forum for Restaurative Justice's project’s main results on developing partnerships and supporting the implementation process of restorative justice in Central and Eastern Europe.

Borbála Fellegi: From dead ends towards solutions. (2005) (in Hungarian) (doc)

The article published in the Hungarian newspaper Népszabadság replies to the earlier article of Erzsébet Mohácsi, dealing with the ethical, legal and sociological problems caused by segregation. It proposes a new, local approach to the problem, and also takes the side of dialogues against lawsuits, stating that dialogues are capable of achieving a long-term solution to a problem.

The article can be read in Hungarian on the website of Népszabadság  here

Borbála Fellegi: State of affairs of Restorative Justice in Hungary. (2005) (pdf)

A study on the possibilities of introducing victim-offender mediation, crime prevention and victim support in Hungary.

Borbála Fellegi: Meeting the Challenges of Implementing Restorative Justice in Central and Eastern Europe (2005) (pdf)

Final Report of the AGIS project of the European Forum for Restorative Justice presented in Leuven. The report discusses the challenges and results of the implementation process of restorative justice in eleven Central and Eastern European countries.

Borbála Fellegi: Introducing Victim-Offender Mediation in Central and Eastern Europe. (December 2004) (pdf)

Halftime reflections on the ‘Meeting the challenges of introducing victim-offender mediation in Central and Eastern Europe’ AGIS project of the European Forum. The project intended to help the exchange and networking between Eastern and Western European professionals of restorative justice through meetings and seminars.

Borbála Fellegi: Explaining the Impact of Restorative Justice – The “4-Way Interaction” of Morality, Neutralisation, Shame and Bonds. Master Thesis for the Institute of Criminology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge. (2004) (pdf)

The study emphasizes the social-psychological mechanisms of restorative practices and its influence on offenders.

Borbála Fellegi: Using Restorative Techniques at High Schools: Evaluation of a ‘Face to Face’ Programme. (2003) (ppt)

The evaluation of the ’Conflict Resolution Face to Face’ programme carried out with the cooperation of ’Zöld Kakas’ High School and the ’Family, Child, Youth Priority Association’. The paper was presented at the Fourth International Conference on Conferencing, Circles and other Restorative Practices, in Veldhoven, the Netherlands.

Borbála Fellegi- György Ligeti: Rights of disadvantaged students in public education. (2003) (in Hungarian) (doc)

The paper introduces the Hungarian public education from the viewpoint of disadvateged students, then analyzes the material collected by seperate methods, primarily along the lines of laws but also using other -pedagogical, psychological, sociological- approach as well.

The paper, ordered by the Ministry of education, can be downloaded in Hungarian here under the menu 'Hátrányos helyzetűek a közoktatásban (2003)'.

"Music therapy and mental hygiene" Borbála Fellegi's paper on Szocháló

In her work from 2003 Borbála Fellegi examines the subject of the mysterious-looking music therapy, introducing its history in Hungary, its usefulness, way of work and also the possible target group.
The paper not only gives an overview of music therapy, but also points out how important it is for all of us to process our opressed feelings and frustrations, to continously grow as persons for our spiritual and physical health.

Borbála Fellegi: The process of institutionalizing restorative justice in Hungary in the case of children and juvenile offenders (2002) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The thesis analyzes, alongside a theoretical approach the present-daysituation in Hungary, and the chances of applying mediation in practice, the institutionalization of restorative justice in Hungary

Borbála fellegi: Using the restorative approach in high schools (2002) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The aim of the co-operational pilot project of the Zöld Kakas Líceum (Green Rooster High School) and the Család, Gyermek, Ifjúság Kiemelten Közhasznú Egyesület  (Family, Children, Youth Association) was to understand the transgression in the school community, by the use of practical approach, combining theories of psychology, sociology, social psychology, pedagogy then to handle it using alternative mechanisms.

Borbála Fellegi: Truncated cross, truncated justice - The story of the toppling of the Regnum Marianum Cross, and the social dilemmas it caused (2001) (in Hungarian) (pdf)

The paper uses the story of the toppling of the Regnum Marianum Cross to try and find an answer to the question: are in these and simnilarcases the Hungarian criminal justice system and other social institutions really giving the right and "most effective" answer for crime?