Conferences offered by our program
Three types of conferencing may be appropriate.
Community Justice Forums or circles (victim or victim proxy participates)
Community Accountability Panels (victim chooses not to participate directly - i.e. shoplifting).
A new Alternative Resolution process may resolve issues without going to conference if parties do not wish to participate directly.
Peacekeeping Dialogue Circles
Restorative Justice Circles (or a Community Justice Forum) is a process in which all parties affected by a criminal offence or wrongdoing agree to a voluntary gather together in a circle under the guidance of two RCMP-trained facilitators who follow an RCMP developed script used to discuss the incident, uncover its impact and develop an agreement to repair the harm.
Community Accountability Panels are used in cases where a crime impacts the community at large and the victim is not able or willing to participate directly but does support the restorative approach. The panel comprises of program volunteers who represent the interests of the wider community. Panel members follow an RCMP script that encourages offenders to accept responsibility for their actions.
Resolution agreements for both types of conferences include verbal or written expressions of apology, counselling, community service, financial restitution, keeping the peace or having no contact (peace letters) and posters or research papers on a topic agreed by all participants. The resolution is monitored by an RJPSC Agreement Supervisor who keeps in regular contact with the offender to ensure the contract is completed. Once the agreement has been concluded the matter is deemed closed and all files returned to the RCMP.
A Peacekeeping Dialogue Circle is a carefully constructed process of communication, designed to create a safe space for all voices. In a healthy community, all members feel respectfully listened to and valued.
The practice of Dialogue Circles enables us to have those difficult conversations which arise in conflict or dispute when there is need for change or if challenging questions arise which unsettle or disturb relationships within our homes, work places or communities.
Through structured elements, participant interaction is organized for maximum understanding, empowerment and connection, while maintaining a sense of positive possibilities to resolve differences.
The RJPSC has trained Circle Keepers who are available to prepare a circle process.
The Circle:
"As the story unfolds, the labels fall away.
Tears blend.
The 'other' becomes one of us.
We cannot hold the other separate,
for we are inextricably intertwined in a combined story"
By Kay Pranis: Peacemaking Circles; From Crime to Community
EXCEPTIONS
Files are returned to police for further action if:
The person responsible decides to withdraw from the process
The person responsible fails to fulfill the agreement
For some other reason the process cannot go forward
Please note: The vast majority of cases are able to be concluded successfully through Restorative Justice. The compliance rate remains high and recidivism rates are lower than through the traditional justice system.
Community Justice Forums or circles (victim or victim proxy participates)
Community Accountability Panels (victim chooses not to participate directly - i.e. shoplifting).
A new Alternative Resolution process may resolve issues without going to conference if parties do not wish to participate directly.
Peacekeeping Dialogue Circles
Restorative Justice Circles (or a Community Justice Forum) is a process in which all parties affected by a criminal offence or wrongdoing agree to a voluntary gather together in a circle under the guidance of two RCMP-trained facilitators who follow an RCMP developed script used to discuss the incident, uncover its impact and develop an agreement to repair the harm.
Community Accountability Panels are used in cases where a crime impacts the community at large and the victim is not able or willing to participate directly but does support the restorative approach. The panel comprises of program volunteers who represent the interests of the wider community. Panel members follow an RCMP script that encourages offenders to accept responsibility for their actions.
Resolution agreements for both types of conferences include verbal or written expressions of apology, counselling, community service, financial restitution, keeping the peace or having no contact (peace letters) and posters or research papers on a topic agreed by all participants. The resolution is monitored by an RJPSC Agreement Supervisor who keeps in regular contact with the offender to ensure the contract is completed. Once the agreement has been concluded the matter is deemed closed and all files returned to the RCMP.
A Peacekeeping Dialogue Circle is a carefully constructed process of communication, designed to create a safe space for all voices. In a healthy community, all members feel respectfully listened to and valued.
The practice of Dialogue Circles enables us to have those difficult conversations which arise in conflict or dispute when there is need for change or if challenging questions arise which unsettle or disturb relationships within our homes, work places or communities.
Through structured elements, participant interaction is organized for maximum understanding, empowerment and connection, while maintaining a sense of positive possibilities to resolve differences.
The RJPSC has trained Circle Keepers who are available to prepare a circle process.
The Circle:
"As the story unfolds, the labels fall away.
Tears blend.
The 'other' becomes one of us.
We cannot hold the other separate,
for we are inextricably intertwined in a combined story"
By Kay Pranis: Peacemaking Circles; From Crime to Community
EXCEPTIONS
Files are returned to police for further action if:
The person responsible decides to withdraw from the process
The person responsible fails to fulfill the agreement
For some other reason the process cannot go forward
Please note: The vast majority of cases are able to be concluded successfully through Restorative Justice. The compliance rate remains high and recidivism rates are lower than through the traditional justice system.
