SOUTH OKANAGAN RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROGRAM

SORJP Logo The South Okanagan Restorative Justice Program (SORJP) has a mandate to affect change within the existing criminal justice system through the reinstatement of traditional discipline and traditional community practices that would assist in the rehabilitation of offenders and healing victims of crime. SORJP seeks to ensure the restoration of balance within each of the four South Okanagan communities that are affected by crime.

The South Okanagan Restorative Justice Program will foster and promote a safe and caring program through restorative action and youth advocacy; holding youth and others accountable for their behavior; reintegrating them in their communities and ensuring that the victim’s concerns are addressed.

SORJP OBJECTIVES:

To develop restorative, relevant and reasonable resolutions
To increase the individual’s awareness on how their actions affect others
To involve the victim and the community in the restorative process and the resolution
To let the client and his/her family know that the community as a whole is concerned about their conduct/behavior
To provide for restitution and the means to repair the harm, when appropriate
To respect the rights of all parties
To foster a safe and caring environment through advocacy and mentoring
To leave all parties with a feeling of self worth
To focus on the harm of crime rather than the rules/laws that have been broken
To be equally concerned about the victims and offenders involving both in the process of justice
To work towards the restoration of victims, empowering them and responding to their needs as they see them
To support offenders while encouraging them to understand, accept and carry out their obligations
To provide dialogue, direct and indirect between the victim and offender as appropriate
To encourage collaboration and reintegration rather than coercion and isolation.