Best Practices in Restorative Justice

Source: (2003) Paper presented at the Sixth International Conference on Restorative Justice. June 2003. The Centre for Restorative Justice, Simon Fraser University. Downloaded 2 October 2003.

The Aboriginal Justice Strategy (AJS) has been in place for five years and was just renewed for another five years, to 2007. The purpose of the strategy is to build capacity in the communities in the field of justice and to address the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the court and correctional systems. A review is being undertaken in B.C. to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the AJS from the perspective of the communities and their working relationship with the governments. As a result of the review, it is anticipated that improvements could be identified that could strengthen the functioning of the strategy, particularly by involving the communities in a much broader way.
Some of the areas already identified consist of involving the communities in the designing of justice programs that would better reflect the local culture and traditions as opposed to adopting models that are encouraged by the governments. Reporting and evaluation are other areas where communities need to have more latitude and control so that the program remains focused on its principal purpose, conflict management. Abstract courtesy of the Centre for Restorative Justice, Simon Fraser University, www.sfu.ca/crj.