What is Restorative Justice (RJ)?
Restorative Justice can be described as a new lens that we can use to look at crime. Through this lens, crime is seen as violation of one person by another. The goal of Restorative Justice is to bring victim, offender and community together to search for creative ways to deal with the aftermath of crime. Restorative Justice encounters seek to address:
- the harm done,
- the actions required to repair harm, and
- the needs of victim, offender and community.
Programs that use a Restorative Justice approach have been highly successful in reducing crime, promoting safer communities, helping victims to heal and offenders to make positive changes in their lives. At a time when people have increasing concerns about how our society can deal with crime more effectively, Restorative Justice is a compelling and engaging option.
The Community Justice Encounters (CJE) Program
Community Justice Encounters is a comprehensive program developed and delivered by Community Mediation Services (CMS). This program puts the principles of restorative justice into practice, by bringing victims and offenders together with the help of mediators to address the harm caused by crime.
The CJE program can be used at many stages:
| Pre-charge: | people can pursue CJE before resorting to charges and the courts. |
| Post-charge: | we are working towards receiving cases diverted from the regular trial process after charges are laid. |
| Post sentence: | after sentencing, as well as during or even after incarceration, victims may choose CJE as an option. |
We are developing this program with many community partners:
- Victim Services
- Native Friendship Centre
- Royal Newfoundland Constabulary
- Turnings
- John Howard Society
- Coalition Against Violence
The Restorative Justice Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador
Community Mediation Services is a founding member of the steering committee the Restorative Justice Coalition of Newfoundland and Labrador (RJCNL). The RJCNL was revived in 2003, as a continuation of more than three decades of work to promote Restorative Justice in this province. Currently the Coalition is made up of a wide range of individuals, including victim advocates, corrections workers, university professors, social service providers, worship communities, and others.