Restorative services

Restorative Justice presents a challenging and courageous approach to addressing harm. Restorative processes require individuals to engage deeply with those they have wronged, often in difficult and uncomfortable ways. Punishment processes do not focus on transforming beliefs or behaviours, whereas restorative justice focuses on building accountability that are meaningful to those harmed. Through dialogue, accountability work, and seeking to meet people’s unmet needs, restorative justice works to seek a transformative, rather than lenient, response to crime.

Restorative justice processes prioritize the participation of everyone affected by harm. However, in some cases, surrogates may step in to meet with those impacted or those responsible for the harm to facilitate understanding and accountability. Additionally, individuals may take personalized steps toward accountability or deeper understanding through conflict coaching, accountability coaching, and other forms of meaningful engagement.

Yes, restorative justice can be very effective in cases of serious crime.  There are different strategies and techniques that are used by facilitators who are helping people involved in serious crime dialogue together. Restorative Justice is suitable when victims freely choose to participate and when offenders can demonstrate accountability.  The level of harm has no bearing on achieving successful outcomes. 

There has also been research into restorative justice options for persons involved in incidents of serious crime.  Final results of one evaluation indicated “that almost all program participants were highly satisfied with the restorative approach, especially when compared to participants who experienced only the traditional criminal justice system. Victims and offenders were offered the opportunity to actively participate in the decision-making process, in developing a reparation plan and in some cases, providing a sentencing recommendation. Overall, individuals affected by serious crime were empowered to achieve satisfying justice through a restorative approach.

Rugge, T., Bonta, J., & Wallace-Capretta, S. (2005). Evaluation of the Collaborative Justice Project: A restorative justice program for serious crime. (User Report 2005-02). Ottawa: Public Safety Canada.