The Wood Buffalo Restorative Justice program was established April 1, 2022 coinciding with the Alberta Courts Pilot project.
If you’ve been involved in a crime or conflict, restorative justice may be suggested to you as an alternative to legal proceedings. This voluntary program offers a safe, respectful way to promote healing after harm has occurred.
- Allows offenders to take responsibility for their actions and allows the community to see its role in contributing to reconciliation.
- Provides an opportunity for everyone involved to have a voice and determine actions and outcomes to ensure accountability.
Depending on the process, restorative justice may involve the victims, offenders and their social networks, justice agencies and the community. The program is available to everyone in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo through a proactive referral or a direct referral from the justice system by the RCMP or the Crown.
How it works
Through restorative processes several options are used to engage victims and to provide a way for offenders to make amends.
| Circles |
| These in-person meetings are unscripted and include the victim, offender and their supports and others who have been harmed. Circle keepers act as facilitators as a talking piece is passed from person-to-person in the circle, allowing everyone to speak. |
| Conferencing |
| This technique often uses facilitated, scripted dialogue and includes facilitators, the victim, offender and their supports, and any others who have been harmed. |
| Victim/Offender Restorative Dialogue |
| This process involves facilitated face-to-face dialogue between the offender and the victim. |
Key Principles of Restorative Justice
- Addresses the harm and the needs of the people harmed.
- Addresses the obligations that result from the harm.
- Addresses the cause of the harm.
- Allows participation from all those impacted.
- Balances concern for all involved.
- Builds outcomes collaboratively
Change statement
To strengthen community inclusiveness and connections by delivering a Restorative Justice program that provides a safe environment to promote healing after harm has occurred.
Values
|
Respectful |
| All participants are to be spoken to and treated with respect in Restorative Justice settings; mutual respect and confidentiality will build trust and harmony between participants. |
| Safety |
| We strive to provide an environment where all participants feel safe and comfortable. |
| Voluntary |
| Participation is voluntary for everyone and is based on free, informed and ongoing consent. |
| Accountability |
| Restorative Justice provides an environment which allows offenders to take responsibility for their actions and an opportunity for the community to see its role in contributing to reconciliation. |
| Inclusiveness |
| Restorative Justice includes the participation of all people affected by crime; most often identified as the victim, offender and the community. |
| Empowerment |
|
Provides an opportunity for everyone involved to have a voice and determine actionable outcomes to ensure accountability. |
Volunteering
If you are interested in volunteering as a community member or would like to become a facilitator, please contact us for further information.
Referrals
If you have been referred to the Restorative Justice program you may fill out and email the referral form directly to us.
Restorative Justice Referral Form
Learn more:
Wood Buffalo Restorative Justice:
- Phone: 780-788-4253
- Toll Free: 1-888-788-4250
- Email: restorative.justice@rmwb.ca
More resources
- Province of Alberta Booklet: Restorative Justice
- Alberta Restorative Justice Association