Restorative Justice

What is Restorative Justice?

“Restorative Justice is an approach to justice that focuses on addressing the harm caused by crime while holding the offender responsible for their actions, by providing an opportunity for the parties directly affected by the crime – victims, offenders and communities – to identify and address their needs in the aftermath of a crime”

Department of Justice Canada, n.d.

At the core of restorative justice is the understanding that crime is not an arbitrary things, it is a direct violation of people and relationships. By offering offenders the opportunity to take accountability for their actions and engage with the victims of their crimes, it provides and opportunity for healing and reparations for all parties involved, as well as reintegration on the part of the offenders into their communities. As Indigenous people are vastly over represented in the criminal justice system and systemic racism has become ingrained in the judicial process, restorative justice allows these Indigenous communities an alternate method than incarceration which deal with crime in a way that is more reflective of their cultures and beliefs systems

Why do we need Restorative Justice?

Key takeaways:

  • Healing can take place for victims
  • Restorative Justice is a tool
  • Offenders take responsibility, repair connections
  • Can be applied for petty crimes (vandalism) all the way up to murder
  • Nearly 3 out of 4 offenders of violent crimes will re-offend in the criminal justice system
  • Response to crime which makes communities safer

One form of Restorative Justice that Indigenous communities participate in is Sentencing Circles. This allows victims and offenders to meet in a safe space with support from loved ones and the community to address the crime that occurred, the reasoning behind it, and ways in which healing can take place and reparations can be made. Here is a video which sheds light on the process of sentencing circles:

Source: Department of Justice Canada

Key takeaways:

  • Most culturally appropriate way to amend relationships
  • Assessment takes place to determine who should attend the circle
  • Community gives input and re-shapes relationships
  • Equality amongst all participants
  • Punishments fit the crime
  • Goal: healing and reintegration of offender into community

Restorative Justice Programs in Canada

Alberta

  • PADDLE PRAIRIE MÉTIS SETTLEMENT COMMUNITY JUSTICE PROGRAM P: (780) 981-3384
  • BIGSTONE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM P: (780) 891-3836
  • GIFT LAKE MÉTIS SETTLEMENT COMMUNITY JUSTICE PROGRAM P: (780) 767-2112
  • EAST PRAIRIE MÉTIS SETTLEMENT COMMUNITY JUSTICE PROGRAM P: (780) 523-2263
  • EDMONTON NATIVE YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE P: (780) 422-4786

Nunavut

Quebec

  • CENTRE DE JUSTICE DES PREMIERS PEUPLES DE MONTRÉAL (The First Peoples Justice Centre of Montreal) P: (514) 499-1854 Ext: 2239 W: https://cjppm.org/en/homeen/

* This is not a comprehensive list. For a complete list of Restorative Justice Programs in Canada please visit: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/rj-jr/sch-rch.aspx

*Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Northwest Territories have no Restorative Justice Programs listed on the Depertment of Justice website

British Columbia

  • ADULT (INDIGENOUS) RESTORATIVE SOLUTIONS P: (250) 493-7181 Ext: 217
  • KHUTSEDZI K’E’ PROGRAM P: (250) 563-4161
  • TSAY KEH DENE RJ PROGRAM P: (250) 562-8882

Ontario

  • WECHIHETISOWIN ODAWA ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY JUSTICE PROGRAM P: (613) 722-3811 W: http://www.odawa.on.ca/
  • FIRST NATION MÉTIS COURT WORKER PROGRAM P: (613) 827-5695
  • RESTORATIVE INITIATIVES P: (613) 396-2122 Ext: 166 W: https://fnti.net/
  • ABORIGINAL YOUTH JUSTICE WORKER P: (613) 396-2122 Ext: 166
  • ONTARIO FEDERATION OF INDIGENOUS FRIENDSHIP CENTRES COMMUNITY JUSTICE PROGRAM P: 1 (800) 772-9291 W: http://ofifc.org/
  • ABORIGINAL LEGAL SERVICES COMMUNITY COUNCIL PROGRAM P: (416) 408-3967 W: http://www.aboriginallegal.ca/

Yukon

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Bibliography

Reconciliation through Restorative Justice. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTb85GNcAVc

Restorative Justice: Why Do We Need it? • BRAVE NEW FILMS. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8N3LihLvfa0

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