QUOTABLES

 

The following quotes have been selected from various letters of support received from Chief & Councils, Crown Attorneys, Justices of the Peace, Court Workers, Probation & Parole Officers, and also the Defence Bar.

 

I am a supporter of restorative justice initiatives and community based efforts aimed at mending relationships and repairing the harm done by offenders.

 

Based on my experience, when effectively done there is no better form of justice.

 

The service that you are providing is extremely important and I wish you much success in your direction to improve conditions in our communities.

 

The program is unique and has real merit and true acceptance within the Native community.

 

We are seeing our part in the Restorative Justice initiative as a positive working relationship that can be used in dealing with issues that affect both the school and the community at large.

 

I have witnessed first hand the power and effectiveness of the circle.

 

My experience has been that Restorative Justice offers a very valuable service to the community and, as opposed to the traditional criminal justice system, provides offenders with the best opportunity to reflect on the consequences of their actions.

 

It focuses on the needs of the community, the victim and the offender.

 

It is very important to keep the program functioning, as it gives the court an alternative to dispositions such as fines, probation and incarceration. It is far better if the community can solve the problems on their own, without resorting to the formal court process.

 

The results, by and large, have been positive.

 

Unless experienced directly, it is hard to understand just how powerful an impact such community participation can have on the offender.

 

I know of no other system that challenges the offender to be more accountable for his behavior, yet enforces in a positive way his place in the community and the benefits and responsibilities that flow from his membership in the community.

 

We hope the program will be here for our children and future generations.