RCMP highlighting other forms of justice on Restorative Justice week

The third week of November is Restorative Justice week, and the Prince George RCMP are highlighting options other than the court for addressing crime in town.

According to Melissa Lang, Prince George’s Community Policing and Restorative Justice Coordinator, restorative justice “is an alternative to the court system. It gives offenders a chance to repair the harm done in the crime they committed in a more inclusive and holistic approach.”

She said the process includes offenders sitting down and admitting to the crimes they have committed with the victim, and allows for both parties to have their voices heard.

Lang says restorative justice is looked at in every case of crimes committed by youth in Prince George, and typically in files related to theft and mischief in adults without a “large background of offenses.”

“I think it is very effective,” she said. “You are bringing people together in a room. The offender is facing the person they committed the crime against and they are hearing directly from that person. The offender is also saying what went through their mind at that time, why they did it, and how it has affected them after.”

Following these meetings, both parties help come up with an agreement on what punishment should look like.

Common solutions include volunteer time, cleanup, and counseling.

“We see a very high success rate in restorative justice files and the agreements that they complete,” she said.

Lang also mentioned that repeat offenders are not offered the restorative justice option.

“If you are constantly going through the criminal justice system and committing those crimes, we do not offer restorative justice every single time.”

There are two restorative justice programs in Prince George – one run through the RCMP, and the Prince George Urban Aboriginal Justice Society, which is a community-based program for Indigenous offenders to go through a “culturally lead approach” to restorative justice.

As part of restorative justice week, the Prince George RCMP have produced a ten-minute video with more information on the programs available in town, and how they are used.