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Arrowsmith Community Justice Society group meeting in circle
Restorative Justice
A Focus on Repairing Harm & Restoring Relationships
Restorative justice philosophy focuses on repairing harm and restoring relationships by empowering those who go through the process to have a voice. Although individual programs can differ in how the process is delivered, the philosophy remains intact.
What is it?
Arrowsmith Community Justice Society client shaking hands
Restorative Justice
A Focus on Repairing Harm & Restoring Relationships
Restorative justice philosophy focuses on repairing harm and restoring relationships by empowering those who go through the process to have a voice. Although individual programs can differ in how the process is delivered, the philosophy remains intact.
What is it?

Arrowsmith Community Justice Society

Arrowsmith Community Justice Society group meeting in circle
Arrowsmith Community Justice Society client shaking hands
Restorative Justice
A Focus on Repairing Harm & Restoring Relationships

Restorative justice philosophy focuses on repairing harm and restoring relationships by empowering those who go through the process to have a voice. Although individual programs can differ in how the process is delivered, the philosophy remains intact.

What is it?
Arrowsmith Community Justice Society group meeting in circle
Arrowsmith Community Justice Society client shaking hands
Restorative Justice
A Focus on Repairing Harm & Restoring Relationships

Restorative justice philosophy focuses on repairing harm and restoring relationships by empowering those who go through the process to have a voice. Although individual programs can differ in how the process is delivered, the philosophy remains intact.

What is it?

What is Restorative Justice?

(RJ)

Restorative Justice (RJ) is a way of thinking about and responding to a crime as primarily a violation against people and relationships.

Alternatively, the Canadian justice system views and responds to crime almost exclusively as an act of law-breaking against the Crown. RJ enables the coming together of the person(s) having caused the harm, the person(s) affected by that harm, and the larger community as facilitator, to create a meaningful, healing solution.

In other words, RJ focuses on repairing the harm and restoring relationships in the community. It is essential to the process that the person having caused the harm takes full responsibility for their actions, to access RJ.

What is the process?
What is Restorative Justice? (RJ)

Restorative Justice (RJ) is a way of thinking about and responding to a crime as primarily a violation against people and relationships.

Alternatively, the Canadian justice system views and responds to crime almost exclusively as an act of law-breaking against the Crown. RJ enables the coming together of the person(s) having caused the harm, the person(s) affected by that harm, and the larger community as facilitator, to create a meaningful, healing solution.

In other words, RJ focuses on repairing the harm and restoring relationships in the community. It is essential to the process that the person having caused the harm takes full responsibility for their actions, to access RJ.

What is the process?

Traditional Justice System

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    Crown and community set punishments for crime
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    Offender is punished
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    Crime is considered act of individual responsibility
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    Based on the belief that the threat of punishment is a deterrent
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    Victims are peripheral (often absent) from the process
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    Offender is defined by deficits, with focus on establishing blame or guilt in adversarial relationship between victim and offender
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    Imposition of punishment (pain) in order to deter/prevent future such actions
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    Community sidelined – represented in an abstract way by the Crown

Restorative Justice

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    Victims, Offenders and their support people develop a mutually satisfying repair
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    Offender is accountable by assuming responsibility and working to repair the harm
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    Crime has both individual and social dimensions of responsibility
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    Punishment alone is not considered to be effective in changing behaviour, when it is in fact disruptive to community harmony and good relationships
  • Red circle svg
    Victims are central to the process
  • Red circle svg
    Offender is defined by capacity to express empathy and regret, and to make reparation
  • Red circle svg
    Focus is on problem solving, liabilities/obligations, and future: what can be done to move forward
  • Red circle svg
    Community sidelined – represented in an abstract way by the Crown

Commonly quoted and accepted definition of RJ:

A process whereby parties with a stake in a specific offense resolve collectively
how to deal with the aftermath of the offense and its implications for the future.
Our Approach
Traditional Justice System
  • Red circle svg
    Crown and community set punishments for crime
  • Red circle svg
    Offender is punished
  • Red circle svg
    Crime is considered act of individual responsibility
  • Red circle svg
    Based on the belief that the threat of punishment is a deterrent
  • Red circle svg
    Victims are peripheral (often absent) from the process
  • Red circle svg
    Offender is defined by deficits, with focus on establishing blame or guilt in adversarial relationship between victim and offender
  • Red circle svg
    Imposition of punishment (pain) in order to deter/prevent future such actions
  • Red circle svg
    Community sidelined – represented in an abstract way by the Crown
Restorative Justice
  • Red circle svg
    Victims, Offenders and their support people develop a mutually satisfying repair
  • Red circle svg
    Offender is accountable by assuming responsibility and working to repair the harm
  • Red circle svg
    Crime has both individual and social dimensions of responsibility
  • Red circle svg
    Punishment alone is not considered to be effective in changing behaviour, when it is in fact disruptive to community harmony and good relationships
  • Red circle svg
    Victims are central to the process
  • Red circle svg
    Offender is defined by capacity to express empathy and regret, and to make reparation
  • Red circle svg
    Focus is on problem solving, liabilities/obligations, and future: what can be done to move forward
  • Red circle svg
    Community sidelined – represented in an abstract way by the Crown
Commonly quoted and accepted definition of RJ:
A process whereby parties with a stake in a specific offense resolve collectively
how to deal with the aftermath of the offense and its implications for the future.
Our Approach

Benefits of the Restorative Justice Approach

Research studies show there are many benefits to participating in the restorative justice process when compared to the traditional court process.

Saves time and money icon

Saves Time & Money

Referrals are effectively dealt with in a cost-effective and timely manner outside the court system.

Equal Opportunity icon

Equal Opportunity

All parties affected by an incident have a voice in the process, and can provide input when determining a resolution.

Promotes Resolutions icon

Promotes Resolutions

Increased probability of reaching resolution, and decreased probability of reoffending.

Involves Closure icon

Involves Closure

Participants experience a sense of closure throughout the process.

Applies Reflection icon

Applies Reflection

Ability to become more aware of how one’s actions affect others, and an opportunity to take responsibility for those actions.

Promotes Community icon

Promotes Community

By “looking after each other” we create a healthier and safer community for all.

    Benefits of the Restorative Justice Approach

    Research studies show there are many benefits to participating in the restorative justice process when compared to the traditional court process.

    Saves time and money icon
    Saves Time & Money

    Referrals are effectively dealt with in a cost-effective and timely manner outside the court system.

    Equal Opportunity icon
    Equal Opportunity

    All parties affected by an incident have a voice in the process, and can provide input when determining a resolution.

    Promotes Resolutions icon
    Promotes Resolutions

    Increased probability of reaching resolution, and decreased probability of reoffending.

    Involves Closure icon
    Involves Closure

    Participants experience a sense of closure throughout the process.

    Applies Reflection icon
    Applies Reflection

    Ability to become more aware of how one’s actions affect others, and an opportunity to take responsibility for those actions.

    Promotes Community icon
    Promotes Community

    By “looking after each other” we create a healthier and safer community for all.

      CONTACT

      Contact Arrowsmith Community Justice Society

      If you would like to learn more about the restorative justice philosophy, check the resource link at the top of this page, and/or contact us with more specific questions.
      Contact Us
      CONTACT
      Contact Arrowsmith Community
      Justice       Society
      If you would like to learn more about the restorative justice philosophy, check the resource link at the top of this page, and/or contact us with more specific questions.
      Contact Us
      CONTACT
      Contact Arrowsmith Community
      Justice       Society
      If you would like to learn more about the restorative justice philosophy, check the resource link at the top of this page, and/or contact us with more specific questions.
      Contact Us