National Restorative Justice Week

Prince George

2022-11-24 07:25 PST

National Restorative Justice Week aims to raise awareness of restorative justice approaches to crime. This annual event runs nationally during the third week of November.

Crime is a violation of the law, but is also a violation of people and relationships, and a disruption to peace in a community.

The criminal justice system deals with offenders, while restorative justice processes address the needs of victims and the community and holds offenders accountable for the harm they caused. The program can bring victims, offenders and the community a more satisfying experience of justice.

Most offenders who take part in restorative justice programs keep their commitments, which may include making restitution and completing community service. Some research suggests that participating in a restorative justice process may reduce or stop future offending. Compared to the criminal justice system, restorative practices are less costly, timelier, more inclusive, and offer support and closure for both those who have been harmed and those causing harm.

Photo of people sitting in chairs in a circle

In a typical restorative justice process, cases are screened for suitability and affected parties are met with in advance. If the case continues to move forward, everyone affected by an offence is invited to discuss the circumstances surrounding it. Often this means that victims, offenders and their supporters meet with a restorative justice facilitator (or in some cases an elder) for structured dialogue. This dialogue helps participants share how the offence happened, how they were affected and what needs to happen to make things right. The number of people involved in the dialogue varies on the type of offence and the needs of participants.

Prince George offers two Restorative Justice Programs: RCMP Restorative Justice and Prince George Urban Aboriginal Justice Society. Both programs offer a safe, controlled environment in which a person who has caused harm, persons who have been harmed and their supporters, are brought together under the guidance of a trained facilitator. Together they discuss the offence, how they have all been affected, and jointly develop a plan that will enable the person who has caused harm to give back to the person they have harmed and to the community, help them to develop coping strategies, and secure the support required to move forward in their lives.

The Prince George Urban Aboriginal Justice Society focuses on Indigenous clients and elder mentoring, offering the Prince George Regional Correctional Centre’s (PGRCC) Cultural Awareness Program, the Aboriginal Wellness Reintegration Program, the Youth Diversion Program and the Adult Alternative Measures/Indigenous Justice Program (IJP).

Please take a few minutes and watch an informational video on Restorative Justice, created in partnership with the Prince George Urban Aboriginal Justice Society.

For more information on the RCMP Restorative Justice Program or the Prince George Urban Aboriginal Justice Society contact:

Melissa Lang
Restorative Justice Coordinator
Prince George RCMP
250-561-3319
melissa.lang@princegeorge.ca
melissa.lang@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
http:// princegeorge.rcmp-grc.gc.ca

Community Policing Logo 

Bill Pavich
Executive Director
PG Urban Aboriginal Justice Society
250-562-7928 ext. 1
ed@pguajs.ca
Prince George Urban Aboriginal Justice Logo 

Released by

Cpl. Jennifer Cooper

Communications NCO / Media Relations Officer
Prince George RCMP
455 Victoria Street, Prince George, BC, V2L 0B7
Office: 250-561-3300

Email: pg_media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Website: princegeorge.rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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