Penticton RCMP talks success of program during Restorative Justice Week

Penticton, Community Policing Services

2022-11-19 09:16 PST

From November 20th-26th, 2022, it’s Restorative Justice Week in Canada. It’s an opportunity to inform the public about how this program benefits our communities.

Through the Restorative Justice (RJ) process, offenders, victims and other parties affected by the offence committed are invited to discuss the circumstances with the ultimate goal of coming to agreeable terms for resolution and to repair the harm caused to the victim and community.

The RJ process requires wrongdoers to recognize the impact they have caused, to accept responsibility for their actions and to be actively involved in improving the situation.

Results have indicated that offenders participating in the RJ process are less likely to re-offend or stop offending all together. The process has also resulted in increased satisfaction for both victims and offenders than the traditional criminal justice system approach.

Locally, in the South Okanagan, the RJ program is expanding its reach within the school system as a tool to reduce harm, and help repair broken relationships.

RJ can also be an effective alternative to criminal charges for crimes targeted against local businesses.

Local statistics:

Should any business in the South Okanagan Similkameen area be interested in speaking with someone about on-going issues of mischief, thefts, fraud, or other concerns, please contact: Jo Anne Ruppenthal, 250-770-5688.

Referrals can also be made through your local RCMP, schools, businesses, probation and the BC Prosecution Service.

For further information on the RJ program: https://bit.ly/3fO60wW
 

Released by

Cst. Dayne Lyons

Media Relations Officer
Penticton RCMP
1168 Main Street, Penticton, BC V2A 5E8
Office: 250-492-4300
Cell: 778-559-1140

Email: Penticton_Media@rcmp-grc.gc.ca

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