Restorative Justice Pre-Charge

The Precharge Restorative Justice program is modelled after the Restorative Justice program.

Pre-charge referrals are received from the police, educators, parents, and community leadership. Once a diversion referral form is received, the Pre-charge Restorative Justice Worker (PCRJW) begins to plan for a Circle to take place and makes contact with the individual on the referral. In the Circle, the individual is given the opportunity to understand their behaviour, and how it affected others.

Victims, offenders and the community are involved in this process along with any supporters who wish to participate. PCRJW’s will then facilitate healing circles to work towards a resolution that provides the opportunity of making amends, healing and successful re-integration into the community while preventing further harm.

Proper follow-up and monitoring are made to ensure that the individual fulfils their undertakings pursuant to the Circle Agreement.

The intent of the program is to assist people before they enter the court system, and prevent them from committing further acts of crime. We also want to be able to guide individuals towards a better understanding of how their negative behavior affects others.  We want to be able to assist people, especially youth, before obtaining a criminal record and to also help the court system become decluttered with misdemeanors. The goal is to get the individuals to give back to their communities, and to learn about themselves in the process. By accomplishing this program, individuals gain a new insight into the cause and effects of their behaviour. In addition, the program may help to develop new skills and interests, allowing them the opportunity to seek out new training opportunities.

• The victim and supporters (i.e. family members, friends, etc.)
• The offender and supporters (i.e. family members, friends, etc.
• Key persons involved in helping the offender and victim, such as youth workers, social workers, teachers and counsellors
• Elders
• Concerned members of the community

Participation by all parties (victim, offender, etc.) must be voluntary. A forum should be made available when an offender makes an admission and agrees to participate.