RJC publishes second Horizon report shaped by those harmed

The Restorative Justice Council (RJC) has today published its second report on the harm caused by the Post Office Horizon IT scandal and the Capture IT system.

This report represents the next stage of the RJC’s work in this context. It is grounded in continued listening to those who have lived with the consequences of these failures for many years, including postmasters, children, families and others whose lives were deeply affected.

Listening beyond the first report

Since publishing its first report in October 2025, the RJC has continued to engage directly with those harmed. This second report reflects what people told us next, and what they wanted to change.

Many described harm that did not end when convictions were overturned or redress schemes were introduced. Families spoke about disrupted childhoods, lasting stigma, reputational damage and deep impacts on trust and wellbeing that continue today.

Children and family members also told us that their voices have often been absent from formal processes. Their experiences have been central to shaping this report.

What this report says about restorative justice

The report is clear about boundaries. Restorative justice cannot and must not replace legal processes, redress schemes or criminal accountability. Those responsibilities sit with the courts, government and statutory bodies.

What restorative justice can offer, if it is independent, voluntary and trauma‑informed, is space for truth‑telling, responsibility and dignity, on people’s own terms.

Jim Simon, Chief Executive of the Restorative Justice Council, said: “This report marks a shift from listening to action. What people have told us is clear: restorative justice must be independent, carefully bounded, and shaped by lived experience.

Postmasters, their children and families have been clear that the harm they experienced did not stop with the original failures. It shaped family life, childhoods, reputations and trust in ways that continue today.

Restorative justice cannot undo what happened, and it cannot replace legal or redress processes. What it can do is create safe, voluntary spaces for truth‑telling, responsibility and dignity, on people’s own terms, without causing further harm.”

What has changed since the first report

Listening to children, families and others harmed by both Horizon and Capture has challenged earlier assumptions and strengthened others.

As a result, the report sets out the first full design for an independent restorative justice programme responding to these scandals. The programme:

• Has been designed with those harmed, not for them

• Is independent of the organisations involved in the harm

• Is voluntary and trauma‑informed, with choice over whether, when and how to engage

• Recognises that people have different levels of readiness

• Has been extended to include people harmed by the Capture IT system

  
  

The programme is intentionally flexible, recognising that healing is not linear and that needs will continue to change over time.

Acknowledging broken trust

Many people told us that trust has been repeatedly broken, by institutions, by processes and by delay. Rebuilding that trust will take time, humility and consistency.

The RJC has been clear that independence is essential, and that restorative justice must never be used to minimise harm or deflect responsibility.

The Post Office Minister, Blair McDougall, said: “We must never lose sight of the profound human impact the Horizon and Capture scandals have had on postmasters and their families. I extend my gratitude to all victims who have taken the time to share their experiences.

As we move forwards to the next chapter of restorative justice work, it is vital that this process is independent and postmaster led. The Restorative Justice Council’s expertise makes them ideally placed to deliver this for victims, as we step towards righting past wrongs and ensuring justice is finally served.”

Engagement from organisations involved

The report also sets out expectations for organisational participation, preparation and accountability, shaped by what those harmed said they would need in order to feel safe and respected.

Post Office CEO Neil Brocklehurst said: “During the Horizon Scandal, this organisation caused profound harm to postmasters and their families, and we must acknowledge that honestly and with humility. This long‑term restorative justice programme is an important part of the ongoing culture change at Post Office.

I am grateful for the Restorative Justice Council’s independence and experience as it brings us together with those who were harmed so we can work with them to move forward.”

Paul Patterson, Director at Fujitsu Services Ltd, said: “We are grateful to the Restorative Justice Council for the care, independence and depth of listening reflected in this report.

The insights shared by postmasters, their children and their families are powerful, and they underline once again the scale of the harm caused. This programme is an important step in helping those affected to be heard with dignity, and we are committed to participating fully and constructively.”

With thanks

The RJC wants to acknowledge the courage of everyone who shared their experiences. Many people told their stories again at great personal cost.

This report exists because they were willing to speak and to be heard. The responsibility now is to ensure that those voices lead to meaningful action, learning and lasting change.

As Jim Simon added: “Restorative justice is not about forcing closure or reconciliation. It is about creating conditions where truth, responsibility and dignity are possible, and where people retain control over whether and how they engage.”

Read the report

The full report, Rebuilding Trust: Designing a Restorative Justice Programme with Those Harmed, is available at: https://restorativejustice.org.uk/resources/horizon-project-report-rebuilding-trust-designing-restorative-justice-programme-those