1. Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program
North American Council for Juvenile Justice
November 5th, 2015
Janet Briggs
Manager NSRJP

2. Nova Scotia’s Restorative Justice Program: (NSRJP)
A UNIQUE GOVERNMENT COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

3. Presentation Overview:
Nova Scotia Department of Justice: Vision, Priorities, and RJ
History, Legislation and Policy connection
Innovative Program – Best Practice Standards & Protocols
Multi-Level Entry Points
Changing Demographics
Future Focus - Relational Approach to Healthy & Safe Communities

4. Authorization
Approved by the Attorney General for Nova Scotia as a Program Of Alternative Measures pursuant to Section 717 Of The Criminal Code (Canada) and
as a program of extrajudicial sanctions pursuant to Section 10 Of The Youth Criminal Justice Act (Canada) and
Section 10 Of The Youth Justice Act (Nova Scotia).

5. Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program: Background (cont’d)

6. NS Department of Justice Strategic Plan 2015 - 2018
Vision: “Nova Scotia has a people-centred justice system and the safest communities in the country.”

7. NS Department of Justice 2015-16 Statement of Mandate…
Priority areas:
Improving access to justice,
Working together for community safety and wellbeing:
Working with partners and communities to support innovative initiatives to prevent and reduce crime and victimization (Restorative Justice)

8. The NSRJ Program – at a glance
Provincial Government Funded;
8 Community Based Agencies;
1 Aboriginal Organization;
Not-for-profit Board Governance
Partnerships Established Through Collaboration & Consultation:
Communities;
Police & other justice partners;
University researchers & academics;
Other government departments

9. History, Legislation & Policy Connection
Key Dates:
1997
Department struck a Multi-disciplinary Steering Committee to develop a System-wide Restorative Justice Initiative For Nova Scotia
Intention behind mandate centered on the Department’s Commitment To Improving The Delivery Of Justice Services
1999
NSRJP was launched in November for youth 12-17

10. History, Legislation & Policy Connection
Key Dates:
2003
YCJA proclamation & NSRJ Program deemed NS’s Program of “Extra Judicial Sanctions”
2004/05
Formal Program Protocols & Best Practice Standards developed (Collaborative process community partners & CJS stakeholders)
2011
Adult RJ Pilot Program launched in February in two areas of province

11. Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program Our Pillars of Strength:
“Community”
“Offender”
“Victim”

12. NSRJ Program Goals & Objectives
Innovative Program
NSRJ Program Goals & Objectives
The Restorative Justice Program is designed to:
Reduce Recidivism
Increase Victim Satisfaction
Strengthen Communities
Increase Public Confidence In The Justice System

13. Innovative Program NSRJ Program Goals & Objectives
REDUCE RECIDIVISM
it has been shown that face-to-face meetings with victims can have a profound effect on the future behaviour of offenders
the nature of the restorative process provides an opportunity to focus on the underlying causes of the criminal behaviour and the constructive reintegration of the offender into the community.

14. Innovative Program NSRJ Program Goals & Objectives
INCREASE VICTIM SATISFACTION
by having a forum in which victims can discuss the impact of the offence and identify the reparative measures to be taken, they will derive greater satisfaction.

15. Innovative Program NSRJ Program Goals & Objectives
STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES
by promoting a restorative approach which invites community participation in achieving reconciliation between offenders and those harmed through the commission of an offence.

16. Innovative Program NSRJ Program Goals & Objectives
INCREASE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
greater participation by communities and victims in community-based restorative justice processes as an alternative or supplement to the formal criminal justice system will enhance public confidence.

17. NS Restorative Justice Program:
COMMUNITY
“For”
“By”
“In”

18. Innovative Program Key principles of NSRJP
A Process Orientation
A focus on Needs
Respect
Flexibility
Accountability
Victim Voice
Empowerment
Community Participation and Connectedness
Inclusiveness and balance
The voluntary Nature of the Process

19. NSRJ Program Protocols
Program Protocols Include:
Program Goals/Objectives
Eligibility criteria
Referral processes
RJ process options
RJ Agreements
Supervision of Agreements
Administrative Requirements
Agency Standards

20. Multi-level Entry Points
REFERRAL can be made from four distinct entry points in the criminal justice system:
Peace Officer Entry Point - pre-charge
Crown Attorney Entry Point - post-charge/pre-finding of guilt
Court Entry Point - post-finding of guilt/pre-sentence (Referral by judges )
Corrections Entry Point - post-sentence
Note:
Providing the seven eligibility criteria on the referral checklist are met. At all times the youth must accept responsibility for their behaviour and participation must be voluntary.

21. Innovative Program Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program
Adult RJ Pilot ( ongoing)
Expansion in two pilot sites to provide early intervention for Adults using a revised adult diversion framework
Shared-Skills Model with RJ agencies & Community Corrections
Two referral points at present (Pre-charge & Post-charge)
Rigorous evaluation - two year mark showed strong success and stakeholder engagement

22. Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program
Innovative Program
Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program
The value added this programs brings to the criminal justice system and to crime reduction:
Volunteer led accountability processes that engage youth
High success rate
Culturally specific approaches
Moves cases away for the formal system, thereby supporting overall cost savings
Increases access to justice in timely manner
Offers a voice and community led support for victims of crime
Builds community level leadership in guiding youth to better choices

23. Future focus/Ongoing work
Strengthening victim & community engagement
Municipal leaders increased involvement
Changing demographics of offenders and community - fewer youth vs increased older offenders
Need for inclusion of marginalized offenders who require a different approach than broader population

24. Future Focus
NS is expanding the use of restorative practices beyond the court room…
Schools & classroom - RAISP
Workplace disputes/discipline/grievance
Situations of Elder Abuse
Human Rights disputes
Youth facilities – in care & detention
University settings
also exploring it’s utility with Restitution Collection

25. Expanding Innovation:
Increasing community and victim engagement;
Increasing use and application of restorative options;
Incorporating restorative options and relational approaches into everyday Nova Scotia living;
Realizing a safer, healthier community and engaged citizenship.

26. Nova Scotia Restorative Justice Program
RELATIONSHIPS
SAFETY
PARTNERSHIPS
Access to Justice +
ACCOUNTABILITY
Inclusion/ connected
Building Relationships
Healthy Communities

27. Nova Scotia Restorative Justice staff 2013
Program Agency Staff 2014

28. Thank you Janet.briggs@novascotia.ca
Contact Information: